What Kind of Oil saved the five wise bridesmaids?

The five wise bridesmaids

“The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept. At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!’

All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘I don’t know you!’

So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.” (Matthew 25:1-13 NLT)

This is a very simple story. However, it describes the most important issue as what kind of preparation we need in order for us to join God with Eternal Life one day.

Lets see another illustration given by Jesus:

“The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. Many guests were invited, and when the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify everyone that it was time to come. But they all refused! So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared, and choice meats have been cooked. Everything is ready. Hurry!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went about their business, one to his farm, another to his store. Others seized his messengers and treated them shamefully, even killing some of them.

Then the king became furious. He sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their city. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’

So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ And the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:2-14 NLT)

In the above two illustrations, the wedding clothes are as important as the oil in the lamps. Lets see how Jesus determine the wise and the foolish:

The Oil:

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and OBEYS ME is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27 NLT)

“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord’, but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they OBEY my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21-22 NLT)

There is a very important New Commandment Jesus gave to His true believers:

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”(John 13:34 NLT)

If it is not so important in the eyes of God, Jesus would not repeat it the Second Time:

“I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.”(John 15:12 NLT)

A wise person should never give up the WAY to heaven:

“But those who endure to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13 NLT , also see Matthew 10:21-22, Revelation 2:10, 2:26)

Extra Oil:

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5: 14-16 NLT)

Basic Need:

“People need more than bread for their life, they must feed on every word of God.”(Matthew 4:4 NLT)