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Matthew 25:13
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As I reflected on this parable and its conclusion my mind couldn’t help but go back to the book of Ecclesiastes. For 99.1% of that book the preacher warns of vanity. From the beginning, All is vanity (1:2) to the end, All is vanity (12:8). In the middle, the preacher describes what “All” includes. At the very end of the sermon, what is the conclusion? “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (12:13).
Jesus Christ concludes the parable of the 10 virgins in a similar manner. What is the conclusion to 12 verses of Scripture and 27 devotionals? “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
Before a Christian can obey and watch for the Son’s coming, he must know something of Him who he is watching for. In order to know Him who we are watching for we must hear something about Him. This brings us back to the beginning of the parable. There were ten virgins…now five of them were wise, and five were foolish… All ten virgins were in the visible kingdom of God and all listened to the Word of God concerning Jesus Christ His Son. That is the first thing we must do if we will watch, we must listen to God (Psalm 81:8). The second thing we must do is look to Christ by faith who is revealed to us in the Word (Isaiah 45:23). Here the wise and the unwise were separated. Only the five wise believed on Him who they heard. If we will watch for His coming, we must look by faith to Him alone for salvation. Only if we listen and look will we go in with Christ to the wedding and live.
What does it look like for the wise virgin to be watching? It does not mean gazing in the sky like the disciples were doing in Acts 1 at Christ’s ascension. Rather it is a command to always be ready, always serving the Lord, going about the work of the Kingdom. It is a call to guard our hearts, souls, strength and mind, preparing always to meet the Lord at a time we do not expect. Like the shepherds were watching over their flocks at night (Luke 2:8) so we must be watching over our souls. As the Lord setup watchmen in the church to ward off wolves who would seek to devour the sheep so we must watch over our life and doctrine and ward off those temptations that come. God has given us the whole Armor of God for this task. With all of these things, we are to Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end…
Watching is constantly connected with prayer. It is the conclusion of Matthew 24:42 – 43. It is the call of Jesus to his disciples in Matthew 26:41 when they kept falling asleep. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Pray to resist temptation. Pray for the coming of the day of the Lord. Pray for one another that all might be able to stand against the evil day having done all to stand. Pray that all might come to the wedding feast. Pray that Satan’s kingdom would be destroyed. Pray that Christ’s glory would be revealed. Pray that the love of God would be shed abroad in our hearts by the Spirit. Pray for revival that our churches might be filled to overflowing with true worshippers. Pray and in your praying watch!
The kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom… Let us hear the conclusion to the whole matter “Watch!”
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1 Comment
Ryan · November 3, 2022 at 2:33 pm
I love the detailed account of Jesus’ words and the Ten Virgins. I also like the parallel to the disciples falling asleep (three times?). But mostly, just a good reminder to always be on alert. Being intentional throughout my day keeps me from straying too far (if at all) and praying continually keeps me close to God through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in born-again Christians, and having that access anytime we want/need will help us follow through on God’s commands. Well stated, Ben, thanks.