“Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids” / Matthew 25:1-13

This parable in particular is one of my favorites because it signifies the coming of Jesus. The bridesmaids can be compared to us, the people/believers on this earth awaiting Jesus’ coming again. The bridegroom can be compared to as Jesus Christ.

The parable starts with Jesus describing the Kingdom of Heaven to be like “ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom”. He goes on to describe the bridesmaids: “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise”. The reason five of them were foolish was because they did not properly prepare for the coming of the bridegroom. The Bible mentions “olive oil” was needed for their lamps, but those five did not have enough. The olive oil can be symbolized as our faith in God. There may be some believers in this world that follow the law and know Jesus, but they don’t have enough faith and a strong enough relationship with God that will motivate them to pursue God in all parts of their life. They would be the type that when Jesus delays His coming again (just like in the parable), they would go back to worldy desires and would arrive late to the bridegroom’s appearance. Whereas the other five bridesmaids were wise and brought along extra olive oil for their lamps. These are the believers that have a strong faith and relationship that even if Jesus delayed His coming again, they would wait patiently for Him and make themselves ready for His arrival. They wouldn’t get distracted by the worldy desires when Jesus is delayed because their faith and relationship with Him is so strong. It’s unbreakable. That’s why those other five bridesmaids were so wise because they prepared appropriately for Jesus’ coming, even if it were to be delayed.

In verse five, the bridegroom was delayed and the shocking part is that all ten bridesmaids “became drowsy and fell asleep”. This is shocking because you wouldn’t expect them to fall asleep knowing that the bridegroom was on his way, but I believe this shows the humanity among the bridesmaids. We are by no means perfect and we as humans make mistakes. Jesus understands and knows that. But wait to see what happens when the bridegroom appears…

“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out’. 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. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of My return” (Verses 6-13 NLT).

Because the five foolish bridesmaids did not have enough oil (faith) for when they were awoken by the calling (like the sound of trumpets when Jesus returns), they missed the return and were not invited into the wedding (Kingdom of Heaven). But, the five wise bridesmaids who carried extra oil (faith) for when they were awoken by the calling (like the sound of trumpets when Jesus returns), they were invited into the wedding (Kingdom of Heaven) with the bridegroom (Jesus).

Jesus makes sure to warn us all at the end of this parable that no one knows the time, nor the hour of His return. This parable shows that us as believers should be like the five wise bridesmaids and prepare wisely by having extra faith and an extra strong relationship with Christ so we too can be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Amen.

Reference: Matthew 25:1-13 NLT