The following is a true story from the sinking of the Titanic. The huge ship was sinking and people were running to the lifeboats to save their lives. Suddenly a woman thought of something she urgently needed. She was given three minutes to go back and grab it. She ran across the deck and raced through the gambling room where money was piled up. She reached her room and pushed aside all her diamond rings and valuable necklaces. She then grabbed three oranges and quickly got back to the lifeboat.
Thirty minutes ago, those three oranges did not mean to her all that much. The sinking of the ship had shifted her values: the valuables had become worthless, and the worthless had become priceless.
Today’s passage is the parable of the ten young maidens (virgins). It tells us about our preparation to meet Christ at His Second Coming. The woman on the Titanic needed oranges to prepare for her trip on the lifeboat. She didn’t need any jewelry. Similarly, to enter the wedding, the maidens needed oil in their lamps. We can’t meet Jesus if we are not prepared.
This parable deals with a wedding. It seems Jesus loved to use weddings as illustrations. In the first century Palestine, the wedding took place whenever the groom arrived. People kept company of the bride as they all waited. The groom arrived and the feast started. Those who were ready would enter the wedding.
The parable tells us about 10 maidens, five wise and five foolish. All of them were present. All of them had their lamps. All of them had taken the time to dress up for the wedding. They belonged to the inner circle, the invitees. They are there to enjoy the wedding. The main difference between the two groups is that the foolish maidens were not prepared. They looked ready on the outside, but actually they were not.
You might have a lamp in your hand. But do you have oil in your lamp?
Are you ready to meet Christ whenever He comes?