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The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “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. – Matthew 25:1-10
Reflect
How do we ‘keep our lamps’ full? Remember that the symbol of oil in the Bible often represents the Holy Spirit, God’s blessing, consecration for a purpose, joy, abundance and healing. The real richness of God’s oil only comes with a personal, relational interaction with Jesus.
Respond
Use the Scriptures below to spend time face to face with Him. Allow them to speak to you, maybe God is pointing out a particular one to you. Respond to His desire to meet with you!
Ps 27 v 8: My heart says of you ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, will I seek.
Ps 34 v 5: Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame
Ez 44 v 4: ….I looked and saw the glory of the Lord and I fell face down.
Ex 33 v 11: The Lord would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend
Ps 123 v 2: As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God till he shows us his mercy.
Heb 12 v 2: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…..
Go Deeper
Using the icon art below, picture yourself sat at the table, joining God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Questions to consider:
- What different things do you see in the picture?
- What colours do you notice?
