Are you Ready?

Matthew 25:1–13 ESV

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Exegetical Idea: The five foolish virgins were shut out because they were unprepared when the bridegroom arrived. Homiletical Idea (Big Idea): Every believer must live ready for the return of Jesus.

Introduction

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a striking parable meant to shake us from spiritual complacency. It's a story of a wedding—but not just any wedding. It's a kingdom wedding. Ten virgins are waiting to meet the bridegroom, but only five are ready when he arrives. The rest are shut out. The question Jesus wants every listener to ask is the same question we must ask ourselves today: Are you ready?

The tension in this text is that everyone had lamps, but not everyone had oil. Everyone looked ready, but not everyone was ready. And by the time they realized it—it was too late.

This parable challenges us to consider the state of our souls and the seriousness of our preparation for Christ's return. It reminds us that religious association is not the same as spiritual transformation. And it forces us to confront a difficult truth: not everyone who looks ready will be ready.

Transition: Let’s walk through this parable step by step and hear what Jesus is really saying to us. The first thing we must notice is that readiness begins before the moment comes.

Prepare Before the Delay (vv. 1–5)

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise..."

Before we separate the wise from the foolish, it's worth noting—they all started the same way. All ten virgins had lamps. All had been invited. All were positioned to meet the bridegroom. This is what intensifies the message—they all looked the part. It wasn’t outward appearance that determined their fate, but inward preparedness. Jesus is reminding us that it's entirely possible to be in the right place, among the right people, and still be unready.

And notice also the communal aspect: they were waiting together. This wasn’t an isolated moment—it was a shared anticipation. Just like many of us are part of church communities today, going through the motions together, worshiping together, serving together. Yet still, readiness is ultimately personal. You can be among the crowd and still miss the call if you haven't made preparation your priority.

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise..."

Jesus draws from familiar Jewish wedding customs where young bridesmaids would wait to join the nighttime procession of the bridegroom. Lamps were essential. The wise brought extra oil; the foolish did not. All ten grew drowsy and slept, but when the bridegroom came, only the prepared could go in.

The Greek word translated "foolish" is mōros, meaning dull, senseless, or careless. It's the root of our English word "moron," and it conveys spiritual carelessness. The wise (phronimos) are thoughtful, prudent, and discerning—those who consider future consequences. In Greek literature and throughout the New Testament, phronimos conveys a deep, spiritual intelligence—someone who doesn't merely react to life but reflects, plans, and walks in wisdom shaped by God's truth. In Matthew’s Gospel, phronimos is used to describe the wise man who builds his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24), indicating someone who acts on the words of Jesus. So here, the wise virgins represent believers whose readiness is rooted in applying God's word and living with the future in mind. Their wisdom is not cleverness—it’s convictional foresight shaped by obedience. Jesus is making a sharp distinction: wisdom in this parable equals spiritual foresight, not just religious activity.

The oil represents more than just readiness—it speaks of spiritual depth. It's faith that has substance. It's trust that endures. The delay tests whether your faith is built for convenience or commitment.

Application:Don't confuse being in the right place with having the right preparation. Just because you're around the church doesn’t mean you’re walking with Christ. Proximity isn’t the same as preparation. The question is: Do you have oil? A real walk with God? Don’t wait until life falls apart or Jesus cracks the sky. Prepare now—before the delay stretches longer than expected.

Transition: But it’s not just about starting with oil. The question is—what do you do when the call finally comes? That leads us to the second truth we see in the text.

Respond When the Call Comes (vv. 6–9)

"But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps."

The call came suddenly. The foolish tried to borrow oil, but it was too late. Preparation can’t be borrowed. Relationship with Christ can’t be transferred. They missed their moment because they lived on the edge of someone else’s faith.

Illustration:It’s like boarding a plane. You can stand in line. You can wear the right clothes. You can hold a carry-on and talk like a traveler. But when you reach the gate, they ask: "Where’s your boarding pass?" Without it, you're not getting on. These virgins looked the part. But when the moment came, they didn’t have what mattered.

Application:You don’t get ready when Jesus comes. You must be ready. Faith is not a group project. You can’t borrow your grandmother's prayer life. You can’t lean on your pastor’s obedience. It must be personal. Make sure you have your own oil—your own relationship with Jesus.

Theological Reflection

As we consider the weight of this parable, we must also lift our eyes to the broader theological landscape of the New Testament. This story is not just about personal readiness; it’s about the nature of the kingdom of God. Jesus begins, “The kingdom of heaven will be like...” reminding us that His return is part of a divine, gracious reign that is already at work and not yet fully revealed. The wise virgins aren’t commended because they earned their way in—but because they trusted and prepared in response to the bridegroom’s coming.

This parable also underscores the role of grace in preparation. Oil can’t be bought at the last minute because it represents something formed through ongoing relationship—through walking with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), abiding in Christ (John 15:4), and growing in grace (2 Peter 3:18). We don’t become ready by striving in our own strength, but by depending on the One who provides what we need.

And finally, this parable speaks to the community of believers. They waited together, yes—but salvation is still personal. In the body of Christ, we encourage one another, teach one another, and bear one another’s burdens—but we must each know the Bridegroom for ourselves.

Transition: So now, after walking through this sobering parable, we’re left with a question that can’t be ignored. Jesus didn’t tell this story to entertain us, but to awaken us. He wants every heart to examine itself. Because the next sound you hear might be the cry at midnight. And when that moment comes, the only thing that will matter is this: Were you ready?

Enter While the Door Is Open (vv. 10–13)

"And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut."

These are some of the most sobering words in Scripture: "and the door was shut." Jesus isn't just giving a nice parable—He's warning us about the finality of His return. When He comes, there will be no more time to choose. The door of grace will not stay open forever.

Cultural Background:In ancient Jewish weddings, the bridegroom’s arrival often came at night. The bridesmaids were to be ready to join the procession. Once the bridegroom arrived, the celebration began, and the doors were closed to latecomers. In this parable, oil symbolized more than fire. It stood for true faith. And Jesus is clear: if you don't have oil when He comes, the door will not open later. You can’t ride into the kingdom on borrowed belief. You have to know Him for yourself.

Application:So let me ask you: Do you have oil? Not just a title, a tradition, or a testimony—but oil. A real relationship. A surrendered life. Because when He comes—and He will come—there won't be time to scramble. Cultivate your faith now. Surrender now. Love Him now. Don’t wait for later, because later might not come.

Transition: So now, after walking through this sobering parable, we’re left with a question that can’t be ignored. Jesus didn’t tell this story to entertain us, but to awaken us. He wants every heart to examine itself. Because the next sound you hear might be the cry at midnight. And when that moment comes, the only thing that will matter is this: Were you ready?

Conclusion

Don’t be the one who meant to pray. Don’t be the one who planned to surrender. Don’t be the one who intended to give your life to Christ… someday.

Because Jesus is coming. Not maybe. Not probably. But surely! He’s coming in glory! He’s coming in power! And when He comes, I want to be ready! Not scrambling. Not begging. Not running to the saints for oil. But standing strong, with my lamp full and my soul on fire!

I may not know the day. I may not know the hour. But I know who’s coming—and that’s enough for me! So I’ll keep my lamp trimmed and burning! Because the same Jesus who died… Is the same Jesus who rose… And He’s the same Jesus who’s coming again!

Are you ready? Because the door is still open. Come in while you can. Trust Him while there’s time. Let your soul be filled with oil—and your life shine with His glory!