It's not What I Thought: Wise or Foolish?

S - "“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 NIV)

O - There are several uniquenesses about this end of the age parable.  The ten are assessed as either wise or foolish … but in the storyline why aren't the wise labeled as "stingy"? Normally, Jesus will instruct his followers to be relentless in giving, sharing and blessing others but here it is not so.  The foolish, interestingly enough, are in the right place at the right time with the right desire and yet they are shut out of the Kingdom.  The oil they lacked they had access and capacity to have brought with them.  Why aren't they more precisely labeled as lazy? At the end, the "foolish" aren't lectured for a practical failure but are refused for a relational one. The bridegroom refused their entry with the statement: "Truly I tell you, I don't know you." How does this equate to an absence of oil? The answer for understanding both groups, like the truth of understanding the good news, is found in the person of Jesus and people's response to him … not to a place, plan, concept, principle or promise.

A - If I am to be wise, I will never give up anything which would hinder or interfere with my relationship or response to Jesus.  If I am to avoid foolish it means that my thinking, living, speaking and desires are to be shaped and directed by an ongoing personal response which wants to be near/with the person of Jesus not just in a better place or with greater blessing.  To know Jesus is to know and live this … if I'm just engaging an accurate scriptural concept looking to avoid a missing a better place or a blessing I will end up foolish.  

P - Lord Jesus,

I admit that left to myself I am at great risk to end foolish rather than wise.  I want to love you back and stay near your person … whatever waiting is required. I want to be among the wise and want to be a reason others would be among them too.  I will rely on the Holy Spirit interceding for me according to my weakness and God's will.

Hopeful in you,

Steve