Matthew 25:6

Matthew 25:6

The Duty of Watchfulness.

I. The ten virgins represent the people of the Lord, awakened by the Spirit, separate from the world, looking for His coming. But among these there is a wide distinction. Some were wise, prudent, circumspect; others were foolish, improvident, unthrifty. And in what was this shown? The improvident, although they took their lamps, did not take with them oil, whereby those lamps might be fed. The prudent took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And wise, indeed, is that Christian who goes and does likewise; to whom all means and opportunities of grace are precious; who does not say, within himself, "Once the Lord's, always the Lord's," but prays and strives and presses onwards that he may be found in Him at His coming.

II. "While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." This is said, not with blame expressed or implied, but merely as a matter of fact. Their waiting was a state of slumber dreams were their realities their real state and interests forgotten. And what is the life of God's people in this world what is their waiting for the coming of their Lord but a slumbering and a sleeping? We have, indeed, through all these long ages during which the Bridegroom has tarried, been slumbering and sleeping; weak in faith, wavering in hope, cold in love; timid and slothful for Christ, and earnest only for self and the world.

III. The cry was made, and "all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps." Ready to meet Him none were; the lamps of all wanted trimming. Life cannot ever be kept up to the tension of its most solemn requirements; but happy they, who have that within, or have access to that above, which will, when the hour comes, repair the wasted oil. And so was it with the wise virgins. Their store of oil fed their lamps, and they were speedily bright for their work. Not so, however, with those others, once equally earnest with them. "The foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out."

IV. "The Bridegroom cometh:" Once for all this cry shall be made to the whole Church. But once also it is made to each of Christ's people. To them especially does this parable speak. The Bridegroom is tarrying; years are passing; you are dreaming your dreams, slumbering and sleeping, as compared to what men in earnest should be doing. But this is true of us all; my question is another: "Have you oil in your vessels with your lamps?"

H. Alford, Quebec Chapel Sermons,vol. ii., p. 93.

Reference: Matthew 25:6. F. O. Morris, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvi., p. 214.