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Matthew 25:1-13 | Ready to Meet Him
We continue in the conversation between Jesus and his disciples. In his response regarding the end of the age and his return, Jesus teaches them in parables, which are stories to present a truth.
This parable takes place at a Jewish wedding, when a bridegroom and his close friends leave his home to go to the bride’s home. Then the bride and groom follow a procession through the streets to his newly prepared home for the marriage feast. The virgins are the bridesmaids, waiting to escort the groom in a torch light procession as he brings the bride home. However, this groom takes longer than expected. When he arrives, and it is time to light the lamps, the wise bridesmaids have oil to fuel their lamps. However, despite having a lamp, the foolish ones have no fuel and were not ready when the groom appeared.
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus is coming again. Even if it seems that he is delayed, he promises us that he will return, sudden and unexpectedly. Those who are ready to meet Jesus will be welcomed in. Those who are not ready to meet Jesus will be shut out. Be ready to meet him!
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
We continue in the conversation between Jesus and his disciples. In his response regarding the end of the age and his return, Jesus teaches them in parables, which are stories to present a truth.
This parable takes place at a Jewish wedding, when a bridegroom and his close friends leave his home to go to the bride’s home. Then the bride and groom follow a procession through the streets to his newly prepared home for the marriage feast. The virgins are the bridesmaids, waiting to escort the groom in a torch light procession as he brings the bride home. However, this groom takes longer than expected. When he arrives, and it is time to light the lamps, the wise bridesmaids have oil to fuel their lamps. However, despite having a lamp, the foolish ones have no fuel and were not ready when the groom appeared.
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus is coming again. Even if it seems that he is delayed, he promises us that he will return, sudden and unexpectedly. Those who are ready to meet Jesus will be welcomed in. Those who are not ready to meet Jesus will be shut out. Be ready to meet him!
Discussion Questions
- What can we learn from the wise in this story?
- Why didn’t the wise share their oil with the others? How does this apply to the gospel?
- In this story, what was the consequence for the foolish ones? See Matt 7:21-23
- How can we be assured that we will be as the wise and not the foolish? What gives you assurance?
- The last statement is to keep watch, since we don’t know when it will occur. How will you watch for his return?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?