MATTHEW 25:1–13
It was meant to be a noon wedding, but we had been waiting for the bride to arrive at the church for more than an hour. Counting down the minutes, I wanted to keep my daughter busy until the ceremony began.
As we waited, I felt like we were enacting a parable. The vicarage where we lived was near the church. I was aware that the bride could arrive at any time, and I would miss her entrance if I went to get some crackers for my daughter, who was hungry. Along with using a variety of diversionary tactics to divert my daughter’s attention, I was also thinking about Jesus’ parable of the 10 virgins (Matt. 25:1–13). While five arrived ready with enough oil to keep their lamps burning while they awaited the groom, the other five did not. It was too late for the young women to go buy more oil for their lamps, just as it was too late for me to get back to the vicarage.
Jesus used this parable to highlight the necessity for us to be ready because we would be held accountable for the condition of our hearts when He returns. Are we prepared and waiting?
📷: Ulyana Tim
