“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Ditsy
Jesus, you masterfully preached in ways that utilized the forms people were familiar with. People were used to wisdom and folly being personified and so you gave them five wise and five ditsy women. It is wise to live as though your return is imminent; to be mindful of you and live as though you could return at any moment. However, when it comes down to the final assessment, our actions are an indicator whether we know you or not. If we are prepared for your return, it shows that you are a priority. If we live with carelessness and lack of thought, then we may doubt whether we are known by you. the story shows that those who are known by you live wisely, and when the end comes they will be ready.
In know that I have lived foolishly, but I think that I am wiser now than I once was. This gives me confidence that I know you. I come from a background where not wishing to presume too much is important, but sometimes my fear that I am not known by you denies the facts: My life is changed by your touch. In my marriage I am more resolute; in my teaching I am bolder; I care more and more for the fate of the individuals in my small group; and also my prayer life has improved this fall. I may not be perfect at your return, but I am looking for it. I see it as a homecoming, and I am glad that in your arms we have rest and security.
Questions
Who is waiting for the groom?
How do you think weddings in Jesus’ time were when compared to ours?
What did Jesus say when the foolish (ditsy) virgins came to his door?
How do you compare to the wise or foolish virgins?
Does Jesus know you? What does this have to say about revealing yourself to him and seeing what he has revealed to mankind?
Plymothian 