Reset

MATTHEW 25 | Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps,

4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.

8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.

11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

Parables in the Bible are simple stories that Jesus used to teach important lessons about faith, morality, and how to live a good life. These stories often involve everyday situations or familiar objects that people could easily relate to, but they have deeper spiritual meanings behind them. Jesus used parables to convey complex ideas in a way that was easy to understand and remember for his followers. The purpose of parables was to help people grasp the deeper truths of God's kingdom and encourage them to reflect on their own lives and relationship with God.

When are we ever going to shift from getting ready to being ready?

- We have confused our getting ready with our being ready.

- The difference between being ready and getting ready is related to preparedness and actions taken.

- **Being Ready**: "Being ready" implies that you are already prepared for something or are in a state of readiness. You have completed the necessary preparation and are waiting for the event or situation to occur. It signifies a readiness to face or handle something.

- **Getting Ready**: "Getting ready" refers to the process of preparing for something that is about to happen. It involves taking steps, making arrangements, or completing tasks in order to be fully prepared for the upcoming event or situation. Getting ready implies that you are in the process of becoming prepared.

In summary, being ready indicates that you have already completed preparations and are set for something, while getting ready means you are actively preparing for a future event or situation. CHAPTER 25 CRITICAL NOTES

W. Sunderland Lewis and Henry M. Booth, Matthew, The Preacher’s Complete Homiletic Commentary (New York; London; Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1892), 568.