March 31, 2025 | Be God's Family
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13(NIV)
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Devotional
Two brothers who lived in the US learned that their father in Madrid, Spain was on his deathbed. So they needed to hurry if they were to see their father one more time. One brother from Texas flew to Chicago to meet the other brother. Both drove to NYC to board a plane for Spain,
They went to the ticketing area, and the brother from Chicago presented his ticket first explaining their need to travel swiftly. The airline representative said to him “You may be in a hurry but you will not be flying to Spain today.” Confused, the brother asked why. “Your passport is expired”. The brother was devastated as he heard in his mind multiple reminders in months past from his wife to get his passport renewed. He always thought he would have plenty of time. His unfinished business almost made him miss the opportunity of a lifetime…seeing his father one last time.
In Matthew 25:1-13, we read about the difference in being prepared and not being prepared, for we may never know when. The virgins who had spare oil with them would be prepared no matter how long they needed to wait. All that mattered to them was that they would be ready. But the other five virgins did not plan. And the door was shut.
This may seem harsh in some ways for God to say, “I am sorry, but you were not prepared.” But it is because God wants all of us to live starting today as if this were our last day. Why wait, for we do not know the time of our last day.
Is your heart ready and prepared at this very moment to meet your Savior Jesus? Do you know someone who is not ready? Do you need to reach out to them?
Poem
Prepare For The Advent Of Your Love
Psalm 33
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33: 20-22
Prepare for the advent of Your Love
Clear your voice, O you choirs
Tune your lyres, O you strings
Trim your lamps, O you watchers
Prepare for the advent of Your Love
Sing praise, O you choirs
Soar harmony, O you strings
Shine brightly, O you watchers
Prepare for the advent of Your Love
Lo, Christ comes, straight and true
Lo, Christ comes, right and just
Lo, Christ comes, faithful and good
Prepare for the advent of Your Love
Your Love brings counsel which silences the nations
Your Love brings the abundance of His heavenly storehouse
Your Love brings victory and inheritance
Prepare for the advent of Your Love
