What was the problem with these girls? They expected the wedding to go smoothly. But the bridegroom was delayed. And when it was time to play their part, half the girls had run out of oil already. No party for them!
These poor, silly girls didn’t miss out on too much—a single party! But Jesus is warning us about a greater loss that we could experience, if we aren’t prepared to meet Him.
One of the hardest things about being a Christian is how long it takes! Even in Christianity, the first flush of faith grows cold sooner or later—if we aren’t careful. As we walk through life doing the same old things over and over, our hearts may become tired and cold. Facing the same old temptations … repenting the same old sins … facing, not persecution or suffering—because that might be interesting!—but the same old problems once again. It’s easy to lose heart. It’s easy to lose sight of Jesus. The long haul is too much for us. And then we face Jesus unprepared—out of oil, out of faith, out of life. That doesn’t bear thinking about!
So how do we avoid it? What was the difference between the wise girls and the foolish ones? The wise ones had oil to fuel their lamps. Oil in the Bible is often a symbol for the Holy Spirit, and that makes sense in this story, because there’s no way on earth our faith in Jesus will last unless the Holy Spirit is the One fueling it.
If we rely on our own efforts, we will get nowhere—like the poor foolish girls trying to light a wick by itself, with no oil in the lamp. But if the Holy Spirit is living in us, we can walk safely through the darkness to meet our Bridegroom, Jesus, who died and rose to make us His own. The Lord is Light for us, and He will never run out.
WE PRAY: Lord Holy Spirit, be with me and fuel my faith always. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. How have you changed since you were first a Christian?
2. Do you expect your future faith life to be easy? Why or why not?
3. How did the Lord bring you through a hard time in your life?