Matthew 25:1-13

God’s Saving Word: Wisdom

Introduction

Matthew 25:1-13: In chapter 25, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of heaven by means of three parables known as parables of judgment, and his teachings focus on how to be ready for God’s coming Kingdom. The chapter is a continuation of the eschatological discourse begun in Matthew 24:36-51 about the coming of the Son Man and the warning to be found faithful. In today’s reading, Jesus uses a parable about five wise and five foolish young women and the importance of being ready for Jesus’s glorious return.

Scripture Reading

The Parable of the Ten Young Women

25 “At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them, ⁴ while the wise ones took containers full of oil for their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was late in coming, so they began to nod and fall asleep.

⁶ “It was already midnight when the cry rang out, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come and meet him!’ ⁷ The ten young women woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ Then the foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Let us have some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ ‘No, indeed,’ the wise ones answered, ‘there is not enough for you and for us. Go to the store and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ So the foolish ones went off to buy some oil; and while they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was closed.

¹¹ “Later the others arrived. ‘Sir, sir! Let us in!’ they cried out. ¹² ‘Certainly not! I don’t know you,’ the bridegroom answered.”

¹³ And Jesus concluded, “Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 25:13

Jesus concluded, “Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

Reflect

Verses 1-13 highlight the need for watchfulness and readiness. Who is the bridegroom? Describe the actions of the five wise and five foolish young women. What were the consequences of the actions of the foolish women?  While Jesus says that we do not know the day or the hour of his return, he admonishes us to be watchful and ready. How do you envision preparing for Jesus’s return?

Pray

Lord Jesus, may your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. As I await your coming, help me to be a good and faithful steward of your blessings and teach me to be ready to welcome and receive you. Amen.

And now, join us in praying that audio Bibles will continue to change the hearts and lives of people in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country where those living in rural areas are very poor. But thanks to the generous support of Bible Society friends, churches in these rural areas are receiving Proclaimer audio Bibles. Listening groups are being scheduled so that people may come and hear God’s Word in their own language. Praise to you, Lord God, that audio Bibles are providing comfort and hope to people whose lives had previously been filled with uncertainty, discouragement, and despair but whose hearts and lives are now being changed for eternity. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Matthew 25:14-30: Jesus uses a parable about three servants to teach about the Kingdom of heaven.