PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
A Christian sisters said she would like to understand more about the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). The Holy Spirit had used me to testify to her about Jesus Christ, in her accepting the Lord (John 15:26-27).
In this parable Jesus spoke about ten virgins who were considering meeting a bridegroom at an unclear time. Five of the virgins, who were wise, took oil with their lamps; but five, who were foolish, did not take oil with their lamps. When the bridegroom came unexpectedly at midnight, the five with oil were ready to go meet the bridegroom; but the five without oil were not ready. Later when the foolish ones came, they said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
Therefore, Jesus said, “keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” of his coming. Jesus spoke of himself as the bridegroom (Matthews 9:14-15). And he told his disciples to be ready for his second coming, at a time known only by God the Father (Luke 12:4O).
WHY JESUS SPOKE TO PEOPLE IN PARABLES
The disciple asked Jesus: “Why do you speak to [people] in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matthew 13:10-11).
The Bible says, “People who aren’t spiritual [who don’t obey Jesus] can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
However, for those who truly want more spiritual understanding, the Holy Spirit enlightens them by the biblical Word of God. For “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17.
PARABLE OF THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS
Jesus’ parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders may provide more light for those whose have a heart to obey the Lord:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24:27).
The Holy Spirit searches the heart and helps those who have a heart to obey God (John 14:15-17; Romans 8:27)
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