I have ALWAYS found the Biblical account of the Ten Virgins and the Wedding Feast both very encouraging and deeply concerning. It's concerning because, ALL will sleep. It's encouraging because it tells me that EVERYONE has an equal opportunity, right up until the Bridegroom (Christ) arrives. Also encouraging is that it seems that nobody can corner the market on 'lamp oil' (which I understand to be the Holy Spirit). There is ample supply of oil for all!
The Ten Virgins and the Wedding Feast story reminds me of the story of the Thief on the Cross. Yes, I am aware that this is an odd comparison. You see, I am of the opinion that ALL Biblical stories have the same intent and storyline. The characters change and there's a twist with the antagonist and protagonist BUT the intent is the same. That intent is to penetrate our thick heads and save our souls! Follow me, as I explain.
I have heard some people express that it was unfair that the thief's 'deathbed confession' allowed him into the Kingdom of Heaven. I have to admit I find that thought process VERY disturbing. Do the proverbial 'they' feel the thief had a better life? Do 'they' feel the thief hadn't paid his proverbial dues? People who dislike the thief's deathbed confession forget the VERY challenging life he led. He literally missed a full life of blessed peace of mind, blessings seen and experienced and the comfort felt and of having friends of the same faith. There's more he missed but, to me, those mentioned blessings encompass a FULL lifetime of missed opportunity.
The same is said for the 5 virgins that were portrayed as less prepared. There was a surplus of oil but they CHOSE NOT to pack a little extra i.e. ask for a little extra H.S. blessing. Consider this: the thief on the cross COULD NOT step down and get more oil, and I've read that after a short while, even every breath is labor intensive! With that said, I imagine that the thief was BARELY able to speak. However, even though he missed a lifetime of blessings, he still made an effort! Fortunately, Jesus was right there beside him! Literally hanging RIGHT BESIDE HIM! I can't help but think that I should be so fortunate! THANK GOD!
Could it be that Christ (the groom) KNEW who would be at the wedding feast? After all, He invited EVERY one of the guests! Could it be that Christ knew who would be hanging beside Him at the cross? Aren't we taught that He would die for ONLY ONE soul. Didn't He also come to save that man (the thief) at that very moment?!
The Groom (and Bride) were ready; "even at the door" and yet the" less prepared" guests only THOUGHT they were not ready. I believe that just like a mass crowd mentality, they WERE prepared but NOT reeeeeally paying attention. Their paranoia sent them scrambling in the wrong direction!!!! It's easy to become so involved in a career, a hobby, a life that we fail to absorb the obvious signs. Just like a wedding feast, there is excitement in the air.... for a reason. The Wedding feast has begun AND YOU are invited! YOUR NAME is on the list! DON'T LEAVE THE WEDDING! We are ALL invited! Stay standing AT THE DOOR! The thief on the cross hung there FOR A REASON! He knew there was something different in this man called Jesus; this man hanging beside him. In hindsight: this was the BEST moment of the thief's ENTIRE life!
Christ will guide any one who desires to be at the wedding or perhaps realizes, on their deathbed, they made poor choices. The Ten Virgins had the same opportunity as the thief right up until the very end (or is it the beginning) of their lives! Don't RUN IN THE WRONG DIRECTION! Stay at the door! It seems that the thief was one of the fortunate ones by being literally nailed in place! He couldn't run around in a paranoid state, like the bridesmaids, seeking what he already had: Jesus was at the other side of the door! HE is right beside you as well. Do you have a challenge in your life? Just ask CHRIST! Jesus chose to hang on the cross. He planned to be there He did it for a thief, ALL sexual sins, a liar, a murderer (insert any 'sin' here) and he would have done it for JUST YOU, either on a deathbed or as a 'death-cross confession'!
We are living in an age of record breaking flooding, record piling snow storms and as I saw on the news just yesterday, (12/17/2010) literal thermometer-popping heatwaves. Now is NOT the time to run willy-nilly FROM the wedding feast. If there ever was a time to pray to be 'nailed down'; firm in your convictions, it is NOW! Pray for more oil but PLEASE DON'T leave the wedding! The banquet is just on the other side of the door! Don't whine that you are 'nailed in place'; or perhaps somewhere that YOU feel you shouldn't be. No matter where you are or what you have done, the groom has already said, "I do"... for you, and you and YOU! Don't run from the wedding. Pray!~PRAY
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