Every day we (all being well) have the gift of 24 hours that we can freely choose how to best use. This is our most precious commodity and God-given treasure.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins, of whom five were wise, and five foolish, is about making the best use of these hours. It’s about preparing ourselves to be the best we can in God’s eyes and ready for the day when we will finally meet him.
We can prepare for this day by learning from the Bible, prayer and worshipping God, as well as reaching out to others who don’t know Jesus. Spending our days doing these things is the wisest possible investment of our time.
It’s a bit like the Boy Scout Pledge to Be Prepared taught by Sir Baden Powell. Applaudible though this sentiment is for young people to develop and mature well today, Jesus was well ahead of the game and taught that vision to develop and mature in an eternal dimension.
Because we never know which day will be our last or when Jesus will return to earth, so we must live our lives as if each day were our last because one day it will be.
If we are not prepared for it then we will miss our opportunity to become all that Jesus has promised for those who are faithful to him.
Five of the virgins were wise and well-prepared for the bridegroom and were ready for him when he arrived. But five virgins were not prepared and they missed the wedding feast because of this.
The wedding feast is when Jesus reunites with his Church on earth and in heaven, with the people who are truly devoted to him and take this seriously and are well prepared for this day.
You can read the full parable here Matthew 25:1-13
The central message is for us to use our lives to prepare ourselves to eventually come face to face with Jesus.
