Running On Empty

The request from the five virgins seemed reasonable. "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out" (Matthew 25:8, KJV). The response from the other five was not very encouraging. According to Matthew, Jesus was relating the following parable: "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps" (vv. 1-7). It was at this critical time that the "foolish" ones discovered they did not have enough oil. Not allowing for the possibility that the groom might be delayed, they had not taken enough.

The response of the "wise" virgins and subsequent events are insightful. Matthew continues, "But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not" (vv. 9-12). Jesus summed up the parable, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (v. 13). What was Jesus teaching?

There are too many theological truths in the parable to uncover in our limited space. However, in Scripture the lamp symbolizes the Word - the laws, principles, and precepts - of God which lights our paths through life (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:20-23). It serves to guide the child of God in the righteous ways of life. For as long as it takes to wait for the bridegroom, the return of Christ, the wise among us will ensure that we remain always in the Word, allowing ourselves to be guided by it. The foolish will become apathetic, going back and forth into the ways of the society around them, not having the conviction to stand for truth. It is this latter group that we must avoid. Despite the distractions and the challenges, we must read, study, and apply the Word of God. In world of darkness, we cannot see clearly without it.

It is important to note that there are only too categories of people - the wise and the foolish. The difference between them was the amount of Word that was in them and how that Word influenced their life. On which side do you find yourself? Are you among the wise?