Parable 7

Be Prepared

Matthew 25:1-13

Parable 7

Warning

See if you know the meaning of this siren?

Playing the tornado warning.

Weather forecasters are experts at picking when tornado’s hit.

Not hardly.

We get prepared.

We have a basement

Some people will build shelters.

Maybe have a tornado kit.

Then there are others.

These are the ones that sleep through it.

Or the stand on their front porch watching for it.

Then there are those that chase tornados.

Some wise some foolish.

Kinda like today’s parable.

Jewish Weddings in the First Century

Betrothal Period

A Jewish marriage began with a betrothal (like an engagement, but legally binding).

The groom would agree to pay a bride price and promise to prepare a place for his bride—often an addition to his father’s house.

The Groom’s Arrival

When the groom had finished preparing, he would come—

This was often at night,

There would be a joyful procession with his friends—

They would march through town to claim his bride.

The exact timing wasn’t announced; it could happen suddenly.

The Wedding Procession

The bride and her attendants (virgins/maidens) would wait with lamps or torches.

When the groom’s arrival was announced with a shout, they would go out to meet him and escort him into the wedding feast.

The Wedding Feast

Once everyone was inside, the door was shut.

Latecomers were not admitted.

There is a Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:7 (MEV) — 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.

Revelation 19:7 MEV

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.

This wedding feast is hope of every believer.

Jesus is the wedding that Jesus is referring too.

Be Prepared

1. The Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1 (NLT) — 1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:1 NLT

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

We know that the ten are “Christians”—those waiting for the Bridegroom (Jesus).

Outwardly, they all looked the same. All had lamps. (Demons can quote scripture)

All anticipated His coming.

2. Wise and Foolish

Matthew 25:2–4 (NLT) — 2Five 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.

Matthew 25:2–4 NLT

Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.

Wise: Took extra oil—symbol of foresight, preparation, and genuine faith.

Foolish: Brought lamps but no reserve of oil—symbol of negligence and empty profession.

Outward appearance (church attendance, religious words) is not enough.

Real faith shows itself in inward readiness—Obedience, faithfulness, fruitfulness

3. The Delay

Matthew 25:5 (NLT) — 5When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

Matthew 25:5 NLT

When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

The bridegroom delayed, and they all slept.

The sleeping is not wrong.

I think we can draw from this that Christ coming can be delayed.

The danger is complacency.

There is a world dying in their sins.

4. The Midnight Cry

Matthew 25:6 (NLT) — 6“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

Matthew 25:6 NLT

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

Midnight symbolizes the unexpected nature of Christ’s return—when many least expect it.

The tornado siren.

All woke up—but only the wise were truly ready.

5. The Foolish Unprepared

Matthew 25:8–9 (NLT) — 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.’

Matthew 25:8–9 NLT

Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

No one can ride into heaven on the faith of their parents, spouse, or pastor.

6. The Shut Door

Matthew 25:10 (NLT) — 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.

Matthew 25:10 NLT

“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.

The wise went into the feast; the door was shut.

Matthew 25:11 (NLT) — 11Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

Matthew 25:11 NLT

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

You are too late.

Matthew 25:12 (NLT) — 12“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

Matthew 25:12 NLT

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

What sobering words.

Many will stand before God one day and hear those words.

7. The Lesson

Matthew 25:13 (NLT) — 13“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

Matthew 25:13 NLT

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

Keep watch.

Are you prepared

1. True Readiness is Internal, Not Just External

Carrying a lamp (outward religion) isn’t enough.

You need oil.

2. You Cannot Borrow Someone Else’s Faith

Good enough is not good enough

3. Delay Doesn’t Mean Denial

Christ’s return may seem delayed, but He is faithful.

Use the waiting time to be ready, not lazy.

4. When the Door is Shut, It’s Shut.

Grace is offered now, but not forever.

There will be a day when opportunities to repent and turn to Jesus are over.