New Testament: Matt 25.1–5

To read the Bible in a year, read Matthew 25.1–30 on February 8, In the year of our Lord Christ 2023

By Don Ruhl 

Jesus likened the Kingdom of Heaven to ten virgins who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom: 

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”

– Matthew 25.1 

However, “five of them were wise, and five were foolish” (v. 2). What distinguished the wise from the foolish? The foolish took their lamps, but no oil. The wise took both their lamps and oil: 

“Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”

– Matthew 25.2–4 

Then the bridegroom showed up when none of the virgins expected it: 

“But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.”

– Matthew 25.5 

The wise do not have wisdom because they know the return of the Lord; no, they just prepare for it. The foolish may actually believe they know when the Lord shall return, which is why they do not get the oil when they can get it. They assume they can get it later. 

Never assume anything about the return of the Lord, who is the bridegroom. Always be prepared, because we have no idea when he shall return. 

Questions: 

• How often have people been correct who have predicted the Lord’s return? 
• Are you prepared for him to return right at this moment? 

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Don preaches with the Savage Street Church of Christ in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Listen to his sermons here: GrantsPassChurchOfChrist.com