Parables of Jesus: The Ten Virgins

Welcome and Recap:

Good morning, and welcome back as we continue our “Parables of Jesus Series!” So, we kind of got out of order; last week, we covered the “Parable of the Talents, which is, in a way, an explanation or perhaps an alliteration of today’s “Parable of the Ten Virgins,” or the “Parable of the Bridegroom.”—Jesus didn’t name his sermons either; these are names we’ve given them. Parables, again, are those teaching examples with rich language. They are analogies that communicate a truth, not unlike allegories and metaphors. However, due to their connection to the life and ministry of our Lord, we call them parables, exalting them somewhat.

So, today’s text comes from the first third of Matthew 25, verses 1-13, that is—The Parable of the Talents, following it in verses 14-30, and ending with the Parable of the Sheep and Goats from verses 31-46. This is part of a larger section referred to as the “Olivet Discourse,” which actually begins in chapter 24. In the way Matthew structures his Gospel, we’ve got all kinds of grammatical genres and structures from genealogy to historical narrative to poetry—these, usually coming in some sort of narration. But Matthew stops all of that here. This is just Jesus talking. This tells us this is important.

Intro:

Now, in a chronology of the Earthly ministry of Jesus, this is taking place at the end. Jesus has been predicting his death, and we can sense some of the group’s anxiety. Earlier in chapter 24, we heard the disciples ask Jesus in verse 3, “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” It’s suspected that this took place during Holy Week, between Jesus’s triumphant entry on Palm Sunday and his betrayal during the Last Supper and ultimate execution.

So, this section of text is a monograph. He’s speaking to one subject, not just some wholly applicable principle to life in general. He’s talking about the end times. And according to Luke 21:5, it’s a subset of disciples that are present; they’re named in Mark 13:3, it says, “Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately.” Besides Andrew, who was Peter’s brother, this is the inner circle.

Summary:

Jesus candidly and directly issues a warning about His return. Prepare yourselves. Look, He was fully God and fully man. He was, at this point, fully aware of what the future held. He asked rhetorical questions to crowds, like, “Who touched me;” and had insight into the widow’s finances, who he declared “gave more” to the temple, knowing it was out of her poverty rather than wealth like those that would have rather judged her. He’s omnipotent. So, he knows these guys are going to influence the next generation of believers. Levi isn’t even here, yet this teaching became part of his Gospel, right? These teachings were meant to get out. At His ascension, He commissions the disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations,” recorded in Matthew 28; his instruction was that they “baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Transition:

He wanted us to be prepared; this is the how, the why is relational. The why is the preceding 23 chapters of the Gospel. He’s not making disciples anymore. This is not unlike regulations. They’re important, but it’s up to the leaders to communicate why they’re important. They prescribe limits and define parameters. Our faith is transformative, though, not transactional. You can’t just say, “Because this is who we are and what we do.” If it’s not internalized and believed, if it’s not accepted because someone sees and understands the value of the discipline and how it impacts their walk if they don’t want to adopt a behavior or attitude because their heart isn’t inclined to. It’s just fireproofing—hedging your bets. And this is what the parable is about. God changes hearts, not us.

Scripture:

So, our Scripture begins with a simile, a comparison of two different kinds of things with “of” or “like” resonating in a way to make the description more vivid; “The kingdom of heaven,” Jesus says, “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. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

Illustration:

This kind of reminds me of that scene in Black Hawk Down, where Grimes, the orderly room guy, gets told he’s going on the mission and, while he’s packing his canteen and Night Vision Goggles, Nelson and Twombly tell him, “You’re not gonna need that, dude. We’re not out there long enough. “Might as well take dope and beer instead,” they say. “Ammo, dude. Take ammo,” they tell him.

Of course, here we are, as the watchers of that film, omniscient, like the narrator. We know how that went. No matter how many times we watch it, we wince, we chuckle; this is how God feels when we say something stupid. But it hurts a little, right? Because it goes so badly for them.

Interpretation:

Spurgeon said, concerning this parable, that “during the waiting period, the wise and foolish virgins seemed much alike …Everything turned upon the coming of the bridegroom.” You see, both groups believed he was coming. If it hadn’t been so, they would not have brought their lamps. They prepared themselves to join in the marriage procession because they fully expected that he would come. They went looking, but that’s where the differentiation was made. Only some were prepared.

Connection to Illustration:

And, the Rangers were prepared, right? They were, and are, the best of what the U.S. Infantry has to offer as far as conventional units go. But that’s not where the distinction was made. They seal their fate when they think so highly of their own ability that they underestimate their opposition.

Point:

The distinction here is that it’s clear that the kingdom of heaven is not for those who simply respond to an invitation. All the virgins respond. But the kingdom of heaven is not for those who just confess. All the rangers had gone through training. In the same way, each of the virgins or brides would have said they were a part of the bridal party. Their cry in verse 11 as they stand outside the wedding feast sounds eerily similar to the cry of the damned in Matthew 7.

I propose that they did not, that night, for the first time, pick up the agonized cry, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” They probably frequented prayer meetings; they had been where people called Christ “Lord,” and they used that formula themselves. Perhaps they might have said, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?”

We also need to keep in mind that these brides were not indifferent to the bridegroom. This was a happy occasion that they were glad to be a part of, but the kingdom of heaven is not for those who merely express some affection. From this, we can observe that positive sentiments toward Jesus won’t be enough on the last day.

Application:

So, who is fit for the kingdom of heaven? The kingdom of heaven is only for those who endure in salvation. Earlier, in Matthew 24, Jesus warned the disciples about the danger of falling away. Speaking of those who looked like and claimed to be disciples, Jesus says,

Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. (Matt 24:9–13)

Some people will look like followers of Jesus—they may have responded to an invitation, made a confession, and expressed some affection toward Christ—but they will not endure to the end. This is prevalent today, believe it or not. According to a recent poll, 63% of Americans would call themselves Christians today. Maybe because of something that happened in their past, but what does trusting in Christ mean? As Spurgeon said, perhaps they look—to us—on this side of omnipotence, the same as others. Are you, right now, in your heart, amid the difficulties and inevitable trials that are testing you; are you trusting Christ in the present?

We have to be watchful of our hearts. We’ve got to examine ourselves to see if we are trusting in Him. Do we long for His discipline? Not because we’re some sort of sadistic masochists, but because we know if we conform our hearts, we’ll receive the blessings of what was meant for us. Because we will appropriately prioritize ourselves to God, in all His glory, and come to a knowledge of His Peace.

Question:

So, Parables, remember they’re teaching examples; they’re not altogether different than a metaphor, and these examples are used throughout the Bible. The disciples recycle them, as we’ve seen with pastors and pastoring; lots of shepherding language in our church today, even though I haven’t an agrarian bone in my body. Jesus did this, too. He’s using Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” What we must ask ourselves is, do we have enough oil? Do you have His truth in you?

John, one of the disciples who was in the inner circle, he was there at the Mount of Olives when Jesus gave this parable—He makes the same point like this, and it’s not a question; it’s rhetorical:

In 1 John 1:5-10: 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Truth:

The truth is that the kingdom of heaven is not for those who simply respond to an invitation. The kingdom of heaven is not for those who just confess. The kingdom of heaven is not for those who merely express some affection. The kingdom of heaven is only for those who endure in salvation.

Transition:

As it applies to our lives, the follow-up question is, am I serving Christ with what He has given me? This is what Chaplain Baek brought last week, the Parable of the Talents. In his message, he offered an illustration about his wife going out of town. He knows she’s coming back on a particular day, so on that day, how does the house look? But how about on the evening of night 1? This story goes beyond simply watching and waiting for Jesus to return. It focuses primarily on what we’re doing in the meantime. D. A. Carson put it this way, “It’s not enough for Jesus’ followers to “hang in there” and wait for the end. They must see themselves [as] servants … who improve what [their Master] entrusts to them.”

Unlike the parable of the talents, however, The unexpected timing of the bridegroom’s arrival highlights the theme of watchfulness and preparedness. Unlike CH Baek’s wife’s return, the unpredictability underscores Christ’s teaching that His return will come at an hour when it is not expected. It’s about being as ready on that first night as you would be the night prior.

Illustration:

The storyline of Black Hawk Down reaches its climax when Nelson and Twombly, the two that had kind of made fun of Grimes for preparing, as they come to the realization, “The Humvees ain’t coming back, dude.”

Scripture:

In verse 8, The five unprepared virgins try and get the others to share, too, don’t they? In verse 9, the prepared ones say, “No,” ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’”

Interpretation:

Now, in context, I don’t think Jesus is saying don’t be helpful. He’s saying don’t compromise yourselves. See, Rahab, the prostitute who hid the Jewish spies in Jerrico before the Nation of Israel became a nation, she wasn’t one of them, and she was helpful to God’s people, even to the point of what could have been considered sinful, right? I mean, she lied and was deceitful? But God rewarded her, didn’t He? So, the truth being communicated here by Jesus isn’t that we shouldn’t be helpful. Still, if it will cost you, perhaps your reward, it’s okay to have boundaries. I’m not saying to not give to your parents because whatever profit they would have received from you would have been your tithe; concerning this, Jesus says in Mark 7:9, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”

Scripture:

In verse 10 of our Scripture, we read, “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!’

Illustration:

As the rangers were preparing, Grimes sees Joyce removing the rear panel of his Kevlar vest. Joyce notices Grimes watching, and he says to him, “Let me tell you something. You’ve got about fifty pounds of gear, as it is. You don’t need another twelve. I don’t know about you, but I’m not planning on getting shot in the back running away.”

Application:

This parable is about watchfulness against sin. When viewed in light with eternity, sin is a very serious thing. Probably about as serious as bullets in a gunfight. Remembering that on this side of the story, we’re omnipotent, we know that they seal their fate when they think so highly of their own ability that they underestimate their opposition. Jesus, too, was omnipotent and this is important because he’s telling us not to. Be prepared, he says plainly.

It is crucial that believers are careful and watchful against sin. We’re told in Ephesians 6 to put on the whole armor of God, not part of it! What we’re up against aren’t simply dangers to be aware of; they’re threats! It’s written in Ephesians 12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

If this parable is about watchfulness against sin, then self-examination is crucial. Again, all the brides responded to an invitation. They clearly possess affection for the bridegroom. But not all of them could endure in salvation.

Illustration:

“Well, I better keep mine in, Grimes said,” while acknowledging his fear, he acknowledged the danger and prepared himself.”

Transition:

Through self-examination, we see where sin has found inroads into our lives, where coldness has set in, and where unbelief has found a foothold.

The foolish virgins ran out of oil, remember Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The way we keep our sight on God through our walk with is through Scripture. By nurturing our faith, Scripture also will take our focus from this world and affix it to the world to come. Prayer and worship will help us to commune with Christ, and communion with Christ now will help prepare us for communion with Christ at His coming.

Connection to Scripture:

May we not come to the final day and hear the words “I don’t know you” like the foolish virgins in verse 12. This means that we never had an authentic relationship with Him.

Because true Christians are ready at any time, having at all times what is needed should Christ return. Frequent pursuit of God’s will—not our own—will help cultivate our preparedness, striving against worldliness and a worldly mindset. Praying for Christ’s coming, like the bride of Revelation 22:17, will excite such a spirit. Let us pray to be made ready to meet Christ at any time.

Interpretation:

The immediate readiness of the wise virgins to join the bridegroom underscores the reward for spiritual preparedness. The exclusion of the foolish virgins serves as a solemn warning about the consequences of neglecting one’s spiritual life and being unprepared for Christ’s return.

Again, this is about the end times. Through the open door, the wise virgins enter the wedding feast; this symbolizes eternal joy and fellowship with Christ. The shut door for the foolish virgins symbolizes judgment and separation from Christ.

Close:

So, are you trusting in Christ today? The question is not whether we’ve responded to an invitation to Christ or expressed some affection toward Him in the past but whether we are trusting in Christ at this moment for our salvation. This is how we prepare for Jesus’ coming, by persevering in faith and trusting Him at all times.

We do this by engaging in consistent prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in spiritual disciplines to cultivate a genuine and life-giving relationship with God. By staying spiritually alert and prepared, vigilant towards sin in our life, praying for discernment and wisdom, and anticipating and preparing for spiritual challenges as well as opportunities. Through this, we’re attuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. And above all, living into our purpose. Embracing your calling and role within the Body of Christ, through which we all experience the fullness of community and fellowship, which is our present hope, but also a source of encouragement and accountability.