Friday, 25 December, 2020

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to wait for the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
Matthew 25:1-2 NCV

The Story of the ten virgins has always been a remarkable one to me, but this morning, I saw a different revelation.  The bible tells us about two groups of people who were very similar. Perhaps they were not too different, but towards the end of the story, we see the great difference. 

Five were wise and the other five were foolish.All the virgins had lamps. 

The five foolish bridesmaids took their lamps, but they did not take more oil for the lamps to burn. The wise bridesmaids took their lamps and more oil in jars.
Matthew 25:3-4 NCV

But now maybe we've already started seeing their differences. The wise virgins carried enough oil while the foolishness virgins didn't carry enough oil. 

Because the bridegroom was late, they became sleepy and went to sleep. - Matthew 25:5 NCV

Another interesting thing we see here. Bothgroups of virgins got tired of waiting. So they slept as the bible records. 

"At midnight someone cried out, 'The bridegroom is coming! Come and meet him!' Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready.
Matthew 25:6-7 NCV

When the bridegroom finally arrived, both groupswoke up. Both groups prepared to meet Him. 

But the foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' The wise bridesmaids answered, 'No, the oil we have might not be enough for all of us. Go to the people who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
Matthew 25:8-9 NCV

Now there's a problem. The foolish virginsneeded oil. And their lack of oil caused them to miss out on the weddingcelebration. 

"So always be ready, because you don't know the day or the hour the Son of Man will come.
Matthew 25:13 NCV

The story is a bit long. Do study it in your own time. But let's quickly study these virgins. The Bible tells us they had lamps. A lamp is something that can shine or light up. But they needed the oil to keep the light shining. Oil in the Bible usually speaks of the Holy Spirit or the anointing. Having the Holy Spirit in our lives is what actually sustains our relationship with the Lord.  Without the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, our relationship becomes very difficult. The Holy Spirit is the power that enables us to remain in God. 

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
— Acts 1:8 (KJV)

The disciples couldn't minister to any soul until the Holy Spirit descended on them. We know all about the Father and the Son but there's little knowledge about fellowship with the Holy Spirit in our personal lives.

"Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually."
— Leviticus 24:2 (KJV)

The Scripture above tells us what the oil does to the lamp. The bible says, "Bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually." If you want to burn for Jesus continually, you need the Holy Spirit in your life. When your light goes off like it did the virgins, the oil is what will keep that lamp burning.  Decide to know the Holy Spirit as your friend. He is someone you can lean on. He gives you the power to endure and the power to remain focused on Jesus.

  In the name of Jesus, Glorious Father we thankyou. We bless your name. Lord, you are everything to us. Thank you for lovingus and showing us your kindness by sending your Son to die for us. May youacquaint us with your Holy Spirit that we may know Him. When we get tired andworn out, let Him be the one to rekindle our fire. This we ask in the name ofJesus Christ. Amen. 

Merry Christmas Readers! Thank you so much for reading. God bless you.