“And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.” (Mt 25:10)
The parable about the ten virgins is a continuation of Yeshua’s great eschatological speech in Matthew 24 culminating in verses 30 and 31.
“Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
The great challenge that Yeshua gives His disciples is to be ready for this awesome moment. The chapter ends with an appeal to be a faithful and wise servant and a with severe warning to those of His servants who are unfaithful, fellowshipping with drunkards being intoxicated with the spirit of this age. Yeshua then continues:
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” (Mt 25:1)
Five of the virgins were wise and five were foolish. The five wise virgins who made it to the wedding feast were ready because they had prepared themselves ahead of time. It is written:
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” (Ps 111:10) “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching [the Torah] a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” (Pr 6:23)
Yeshua had also taught His disciples: “You are the light of the world. … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 5:14,16)
Being a wise virgin is all about fearing God and living a life of obedience to God’s commandments. The five wise virgins were true disciples of the Master who let their lights shine through their good works.
“And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’” (v. 8-9)
Nobody else can live a life of obedience for you. You have to pay the price to do that. “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” (Rev 14:12) We must both study the Word of God and then also practice it. Paul wrote to Timothy:
“from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Ti 3:15)
The Daily Bread Bible reading plan is an excellent tool for discipleship. Make an effort to write down what God teaches you when you read the Scriptures and then begin to practice as much as you can. Then your light will begin to shine in the dark. You will be a wise virgin ready for the wedding banquet.
The parable about the talents, which follow immediately after explains further what Yeshua meant by being prepared. “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.” (v. 14)
The Master told the servants who had traded with their talents and gained more money: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (v. 21 and 23) This is what all of us want to hear one day. It is all about being faithful stewards of God’s Word obeying what it says. Learn to develop that personal relationship with God on a daily basis through Daily Bread.
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4)
