“The Midnight Oil Shop” The Gospel Message for Sunday, November 12, 2023

 

Today's Gospel message comes from Matthew 25:1-13, Wise and foolish bridesmaids, a profound parable, a story Jesus used to teach his disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven. This story, set against the backdrop of a wedding feast, is a vivid reminder of the importance of being prepared, being vigilant, and being expectant for the coming of our Lord.

Let us revisit the text:

“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)

Heavenly Father, as we gather in Your holy presence today, we seek the illumination of Your Word and the wisdom of Your teachings. We are about to delve into the parable of the ten virgins, a lesson of readiness, vigilance, and the essence of true preparation. Lord, open our hearts and minds to the profound truths contained within this narrative. May we not only hear but also comprehend the urgency of always being prepared for the coming of Your kingdom.

Grant us the grace to be like the wise virgins, ever-vigilant and filled with the oil of faith, love, and service. As we study this passage, may we be inspired to constantly nourish our relationship with You, to serve others with love, and to be beacons of hope in a world so desperately in need of Your light.

We pray that Your Spirit will guide our understanding, and that the lessons from this parable will transform our lives, drawing us closer to You and aligning our actions with Your will. May our lamps never run dry but always be ready to shine forth Your glorious light.

In the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and anticipated Bridegroom, we pray. Amen.

“The Midnight Oil Shop”
by Kenny Sallee, ThM

In the heart of a town named Awaiting, nestled among rolling hills and scenic views, there was a unique shop known to all as the Midnight Oil Shop. Its proprietor, an old man named Eli, was known for selling the finest oil, essential for lighting lamps. His shop was frequented by many, but the curious thing was, it never had set hours. It could be open at dawn, in the blistering heat of noon, or even, as its name suggested, at the stroke of midnight.

Now, in the town of Awaiting, there was an eagerly anticipated event—the return of the renowned bridegroom. No one knew exactly when he would arrive, but it was certain he would come. Ten young women, best friends since childhood, were among those chosen for the honor of welcoming him. They each had a lamp, and these lamps needed the special oil from Eli's shop to remain alight.

Five of these friends, Lydia, Mara, Naomi, Abigail, and Esther, had made it a habit to visit Eli’s shop regularly. They listened to his stories, understood the unpredictability of his shop hours, and hence, always kept an extra flask of oil with them. They were known as the Wise.

The other five, Sarah, Hannah, Leah, Ruth, and Miriam, were more carefree. They believed in the spur of the moment. They loved their lamps, but the thought of extra oil seemed excessive. They often said, "Eli's shop is in the town square. We can get oil anytime!" They were labeled as the Foolish.

One evening, as stars began to emerge in the twilight sky, a rumor spread that the bridegroom was near. The entire town of Awaiting was abuzz. The ten friends gathered, lamps in hand. As hours passed and the night deepened, all ten drifted into sleep.

Suddenly, at the darkest hour, a cry pierced the stillness, "The bridegroom is here!"

The ten virgins woke up in a flurry. Lamps were quickly checked, and wicks were trimmed. The Foolish noticed their lamps were fading. They turned to their Wise friends, "Share some oil with us!"

Lydia, speaking on behalf of the Wise, said, "I wish we could, but there might not be enough. Quickly, go to Eli’s Midnight Oil Shop!"

The Foolish, in desperation, dashed to the town square. But the shop was closed. They waited, knocked, and even pleaded. But Eli's shop, true to its reputation, was unpredictable.

By the time they procured their oil and returned, the bridegroom had arrived, the feast had begun, and the doors were closed. Their moment, their role, their opportunity was lost.

Dear friends, the town of Awaiting is much like our world, and we, like the ten virgins, await the ultimate Bridegroom, Christ. Our faith is our lamp, and our deeds, our relationship with God, our prayers, are the oil. Eli's shop reminds us that there are things in life that are unpredictable. We cannot always rely on the 'last-minute' to prepare for Christ’s coming.

Let's take a closer look at The Parable of the Ten Virgins:

The Parable's Picture:
In the heart of Jesus' teachings lies this enchanting parable. Ten virgins, ten lamps, and an awaiting bridegroom. At first glance, it may seem like a simple narrative of preparedness. However, digging deeper, we find it's a profound message about spiritual vigilance and the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Essence of the Lamp:
Each of us carries a lamp in our spiritual journey. This lamp signifies our faith, our commitment, and our belief in the divine. It's our beacon in the darkness, guiding our steps and reflecting the light of Christ. Yet, faith without substance—like a lamp without oil—is futile.

Oil: The Fuel of Our Spiritual Journey:
Oil, in this parable, isn't just any substance; it's the essence of our spiritual growth. It represents our relationship with God, our deeds of kindness, our prayers, our sacrifices, and our unwavering hope. This oil isn't something that can be acquired at the last minute or borrowed from another—it's a culmination of our daily choices, our ongoing commitment, and our intimate relationship with the Divine.

The Unpredictability of the Bridegroom's Arrival:
The delayed arrival of the bridegroom teaches us two pivotal lessons:

1. Christ's Return is Certain: Just as the bridegroom did eventually come, Christ promises us His return. It's not a matter of 'if' but 'when'.

 

2. Time is Unknown: The exact moment of His return remains a mystery. This unpredictability serves as a poignant reminder to always be prepared, to always be vigilant.

The Closed Door—The Irrevocability of Time:
The parable takes a somber turn when the door is shut on the five unprepared virgins. It underscores the reality of missed opportunities. There's a time for preparation and a time when preparation no longer avails. Our spiritual decisions have eternal consequences, and once our time on this earth concludes, our choices are sealed.

Conclusion:

Jesus' parable isn't meant to instill fear but to awaken us. The Kingdom of Heaven awaits, and the call is clear: Be prepared. Let's ensure our lamps are not just for display but are filled, glowing, and ready for the bridegroom's arrival.

Invitation:

As we reflect on this parable, let's ask ourselves: How is the oil in our lamp? Is it abundant, or is it waning? The good news is that today is a day of grace. Today, we can choose to nurture our relationship with God, to invest in acts of love, to deepen our faith, and to live in eager anticipation of Christ's return.

May our lamps be ever-ready, and may our hearts be ever-vigilant. For in the Kingdom of Heaven, readiness isn't just recommended; it's essential.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this profound message that reminds us of the importance of being prepared for the coming of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As we reflect on this parable, may we be stirred to always be watchful, to always be ready, and to always be filled with Your Holy Spirit.

Lord, grant us the wisdom of the wise virgins, that we might not only be hearers of Your Word but doers. Let our lamps be continually filled with the oil of Your grace, mercy, and love. May we live our lives in such a way that when the time comes, we may joyfully enter into the eternal banquet with You.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.

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Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Gospel message by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
Today we find ourselves drawn into a profound parable, a story Jesus used to teach his disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven. This story, set against the backdrop of a wedding feast, is a vivid reminder of the importance of being prepared, being vigilant, and being expectant for the coming of our Lord.