Matthew 25

“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 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 25:9-10 NLT

In our geographical area, every year around this time it snows. Also every year, many people are caught off guard by the first snowfall. About one week ago my wife was at a store on a beautiful fall day. The temperature was plus 18 degrees Celsius and she noticed one individual purchasing a shovel. Perhaps this seemed weird, but one week later, our city has received just over 17 centimetres of snow. Also around this time, stores sell out of shovels and if you need one, you cannot find one.

In this chapter, Christ uses the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate that not all will be ready for His return, and therefore will not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.

But the part that stood out to me today was the response from the 5 wise virgins; they told the 5 foolish virgins to go and buy some more oil from those who sell. This reminded me that the decision to keep our ‘lamps burning’ for Christ is a personal one and no one can make that choice for us. It is also not possible for us to share or provide the oil to another person, as our holiness does not come from within, but from Christ.

May we be like the wise virgins spoken about in Christ’s parable, or the customer who purchased a shovel when it seemed to be premature, and prepare ourselves for Christ’s return. For we do not know the hour nor the day and attempting to accept Christ’s gift of salvation on the day of his return, will be too late. Just as the door to the marriage and feast was locked to the foolish virgins, so it will be for those who are not prepared.