Matthew 25:1-13; Mark 13:32-37
Sunday, February 9, 2003

THE WISDOM OF PREPARATION

INTRODUCTION / CONTEXT: 
Would a map of the future be a hindrance or a help to your faith?

The second coming of Christ is but one link in a long chain that begins with the fact that human history is moving toward a goal. God is driving history towards the ultimate fulfillment of His purposes for His creation. With this climax in mind, we (like the early disciples) too often seek to know more about the final coming of our Lord than has been given in the Scriptures. 

It was on Tuesday during this last week of His life that Jesus visited the temple for the last time (Mt. 24:1). It was a nostalgic moment as Jesus heads out of the Temple and His disciple’s comment on that magnificent building. Jesus astonishes His disciples by saying that the temple will be completely demolished. A little later, the Lord and His band of disciples had reached the Mount of Olives and were sitting on the western slope. There they enjoyed a panoramic view of Jerusalem and its marvelous temple. Troubled by what He had said earlier, His disciples (i.e., Peter, James, John, and Andrew according to Mk. 13:3) took this opportunity to ask Him to explain His startling prediction saying, “When will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? (Mt. 24:3). 

Jesus, however, refused to give them eschatological signs. Intentionally avoiding cryptic signs or visions, Jesus instead described in general terms what the disciples should expect and how they should respond. Jesus warned them that wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution represent only the beginning of what will take place. As difficult as these things will be, they will nonetheless provide an opportunity for Christ's followers to bear witness and to spread the Gospel message. The history of the early Church confirms that all of these things did indeed take place just as Jesus predicted.

But the main thrust of what Jesus had to say on that day was His instructive words to His disciples to remain steadfast in the face of what lies ahead (Mk. 13:7, 9, 23). Jesus was preparing His disciples—and beyond them the church—to live and witness in a hostile world. As one source puts it, "Jesus interprets eschatology as a time of testing and opportunity for mission and ethics.” This is an invaluable lesson in light of every generation's tendency to see catastrophic events as harbingers of Christ's second coming. 
This is the context and setting for the two respective parables we are studying today - - The Parables of the Ten Virgins and the Watchful Servants. 

The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mt. 25:1-13)
This parable speaks of the common and joyous occasion of a wedding feast practiced by the Jews. As we have discussed before, Jesus was a master at using familiar scenes from their every-day life from which to indelibly inscribe a message in the minds of His audience. Jesus was no stranger to marriage feast (John 2:1-11; Mt. 9:15; 22:1-14; John 3:29). 

Marriages were usually arranged while the prospective brides and grooms were children. A later stage of this protracted period was the betrothal, which occurred from several months to about a year before the marriage ceremony. The betrothal included the payment of a dowry by the groom to the parents of the bride. From the betrothal forward, though they were not allowed to cohabit yet, dissolution of their marriage covenant required divorce, or in the case of infidelity – capital punishment (Deut. 22:13-30; Mt. 1:19). 

Customarily, on the day of the wedding, the bridegroom escorted his bride from her father’s house to his house. Along the way, friends of the groom and bride joined the procession. Others waited at the groom’s home where the wedding feast was to occur. In the festivities surrounding the wedding, virgin women were often in attendance. 

Here Jesus told of ten virgins who were awaiting a wedding procession. They were outside the groom’s house. The ten virgins expected that the wedding party would arrive after dark so they brought lamps. Back then, the lamps were pottery bowls with a handle and top openings for a wick and to fill with oil. 
After considerable delay and after all ten virgins fell asleep, the groom arrived. Prepared for the possibility of a delay, the five wise virgins had brought extra olive oil. A painful scene followed in which the five now frantic unprepared virgins asked to borrow oil from their wise friends. The wise virgins pointed out that if they shared their oil they would soon be in the same predicament. The five virgins whose lamps were extinguished for lack of oil had to leave to acquire more oil for their lamps. While they were absent, everyone present entered the house and the door was shut. Later, the unprepared five returned and were denied entry. These five neither expected the delay nor did they anticipate that they would be denied admission to the marriage feast. 

In this parable, the bridegroom represents Jesus Christ. The virgins represent believers. The delay pertains to the delay of and the unannounced Second Coming of Christ. The shut door was prophetic of the point beyond which no one can make further preparation for eternity. The refusal of the bridegroom to admit the five virgins is comparable to our Lord’s refusal to admit to heaven any disobedient souls (Mt. 7:21-23). 

The ten virgins from all available information in the parable were equally morally pure. Five of them merely had made inadequate preparation. On this basis, the ten are styled “wise” and “foolish.” 

Jesus Tells about Remaining Watchful (Mark 13:32-37)
Jesus teaches in this section that only the Father knows the appointed hour of His return. Because there is no way for the disciples to know of when He will return, Jesus says emphatically, “Be on guard! Be alert!" Jesus illustrates His future return by comparing it to a wealthy homeowner who leaves for an extended journey. The homeowner actually gives his slaves the authority to act on his behalf. Jesus specifically mentions "the doorkeeper" whose role was a prominent one, because he held the master's keys, kept out unwanted visitors, and checked other slaves leaving the premises. Warning that the owner can return at any hour of the night or day, He warns them to not be found sleeping on duty. He drives home the point by saying, “What I say to You, I say to everyone, ‘Watch!’"

As Christ's followers, we are given and expected to use His power and authority. With this illustration, Jesus attempts to turn his disciples' fears into a fearless work ethic, for it is not important to know why the owner of the house has gone away or when he will come back, but only to trust him, and be found faithful when he does return.

CONCLUDING QUESTIONS:

Why did Jesus refuse to provide more specific details regarding His second coming? Why did He place such an emphasis on being ready for and alert to His return? On a practical level, how can you live your life so as to always be “prepared” for the Lord’s return? 

What is the primary difference between those Jesus classifies as “wise” and “foolish”?

Would a map of the future be a hindrance or a help to your faith?

The early Christians desired and expected a quick return of Christ (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). How can we get to the place we are able to utter the words like John, the Beloved “Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus, come quickly” (Rev. 22:20)?