Matthew 24 describes Jesus’ prospective return to gather the faithful home. Nobody knows the moment this glorious (or frightful) event will occur, not even Jesus. Only the Father knows the day and hour. Matthew 25:1-13 begins with the parable of the ten virgins waiting to accompany the bridegroom. I can tell you from personal experience that weddings in current days are joyous, well planned and timed events. It is also my personal experience that the wise bridegroom defers to the bride during the event planning. It is extremely satisfying when the plan materializes as it was visualized by the bride. Something always seems to go wrong at weddings; hopefully an insignificant detail is overlooked. At my own wedding (37 years ago) we had planned to have several candelabras lit before the ceremony began. We forgot to assign that responsibility to anyone, so there were no candles lit for the actual ceremony. My father said it allowed him to focus on the bride and groom rather than worrying about burning down the building. The wedding photos taken after the ceremony all have blazing candles!
The ten virgins of the parable were waiting to light the way and accompany the bridegroom to the wedding party. That was their job as was the tradition of the time. Their participation as bridesmaids helped prepare them for their own weddings. Weddings of Bible times were vastly different than the precisely timed events that occur these days. There were timing delays while the bride’s family haggled with the bridegroom over the value of the presents given in exchange for the bride. The parable describes five wise bridesmaids and five foolish bridesmaids. The wise women had extra oil for their lamps. The foolish gals had not prepared in advance for their long wait. The groom came when the foolish women were not ready, they were left behind, and the door to the party was closed to them. The door was closed because the foolish bridesmaids had insulted and offended their friend, the bride, as well as the groom and the two families. The unprepared bridesmaids were judged, punished and excluded from the celebration. Jesus wants us to continue in our faith that he will return. It has been a long time since he walked on earth, but I believe he is returning. Maybe it will be tomorrow!
Dear Lord, Please come quickly! I am ready!
Sherilyn Svien
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