The Foolish Bridesmaids

Exeter Temple Message Notes
Sunday 27^th July 2014
Bible Reading: Matthew 25:1-13

 Wedding customs vary around the world. Jesus' wedding story is rooted in the time and culture of 1^st century Israel.  Parents played a major part in the choosing of the bride, although the son could inform his parents of his choice. Both sets of parents would arrange a dowry.
Jesus referred to himself several times as being like a bridegroom and His followers, who became the Church as being like His bride. Just as there was some cost to the groom in taking his bride there was also a cost for Jesus in making the Church His own. The cost for an ordinary groom was money or goods but Christ made the payment for His bride with His life.
There was also a period of about a year between the binding contract of betrothal and the wedding. During that time they couple were seen as belonging to one another, even though the bride still lived with her parents. To separate, the couple would have to go through a formal divorce. The husband would go and prepare the home and then after everything was ready, the word went to the bride’s family that the groom was done with his preparation and was coming after his bride.
Jesus told His disciples just before His death that He was going away from them because He was preparing a home for believers.
The followers of Jesus did not understand at that time what He meant. On Good Friday it must have felt that Jesus could not keep His promise of union with them but the events of Easter Sunday and Pentecost reassured them and as  they watched Jesus ascend into heaven they received the promise that one day Jesus would return visibly to earth again.
Acts 1:10 & 11 says; “They (that is the disciples) were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee”, they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.
In Jewish culture it was the groom for whom everyone waited. On the evening of a pre-arranged day, but not at a prescribed time, the bridegroom would come to escort his bride to the wedding banquet.
The bride would have her bridesmaids go out into the streets and wait for her husband and his friends.  There were not any street lights and they would carry torches that would light the way for the groom to come to collect his wife. Various ceremonies would be held at the bride’s home before they all set out to the groom’s home where they would have the wedding and the reception. Many of the friends and family would join in this “parade”. Everyone was expected to have his or her own light. Anyone without a light was considered to be a “party-crasher” and would not be allowed into the celebrations which could last up to a week.
There are three things that our parable relates to.

·         The return of Jesus to this world.

·         The timing of Jesus return which is unknown

·         The need to keep awake and be ready.

In the parable the focus is on the actions of those waiting for the return of the bridegroom. It seems they all had good intentions of welcoming the bridegroom and they all knew what was expected of them but at the end of the story 5 bridesmaids were excluded from the party.  

1. They were not prepared for a delay.
The bridegroom’s procession to the bride’s house was often delayed as it passed through the towns and villages en route but the bridesmaids were not prepared for that.  It was customary in New Testament times when lamps were being carried about for the bearer to attach a small container of oil to one finger by means of a string.  Then if the lamp needed to be replenished at any time an adequate supply of oil was readily available. The unprepared bridesmaids had to go to town to try to find oil so presumably they had not followed this normal practice. Instead of trusting in time honoured wisdom they thought they knew best.
In the first century AD it was unthinkable that young unmarried women would move around in the dark without carrying lamps, not only for safety’s sake but in terms of their reputation. Carrying the extra oil might seem unnecessary but it was a practice that protected you.
Some think that they can abandon the time honoured and biblical practices of prayer, study of the Bible and fellowship with believers.
These are the things through which we are resourced. They bring us the fuel we need in order to light the way for Bridegroom to come.
We know Jesus will come suddenly, that death sneaks up on most people as can times of persecution.  We know that every time we face a critical trial the readiness of our faith is tested. We need to be prepared.

2. They did not remain alert to the danger of their oil running low
In the Bible oil represents the reality of the presence of God through the Holy Spirit.  In the story all the bridesmaids had a supply of oil to begin with, so their lamps were all burning brightly.  But as time went on the lamps dimmed and needed trimming.
Paul reminded Timothy of the need to “fan into flame the gift of God within you.” 
(2 Timothy 1:6)
They represent those in the Church who have had a real Christian experience but who have let  the cares of the world to diminish their experience.
Vigilance as well as preparation is needed in spiritual experience. Whilst we do not need to be introspective we do periodically need to examine our habits, our priorities, our leisure activities and our friendships to see if we shining as brightly as we should and if not quickly do something about it.

3. They relied on a mistaken assumption
They thought they could borrow oil from their companions.  However the wise bridesmaids refused to give them their oil. Whilst this seems unkind it should be remembered that it was illegal be out at night without a light.  For the wise women to give the foolish women their oil, causing their lamps to go out would force them to break the law. 
Also the oil represents that which cannot be transferred or borrowed. 
 “The foolish virgins found it impossible to borrow oil, when they discovered they needed it. A man cannot borrow a relationship with God; he must possess it for himself. A man cannot borrow a character; he must be clothed with it. We cannot always be living on the spiritual capital which others have amassed. There are certain things we must win or acquire for ourselves, for we cannot borrow them from others”. (William Barclay)The foolish maidens in this story of Jesus looked just like the wise ones. They had an emotional attachment for the groom, but no depth of nature and conviction. They had let the flame of faith go out and had not been vigilant about resourcing themselves with the oil of the Holy Spirit. In the end they could not fake it and they knew it.

 4. They tried to get ready when they should have been ready.

It was not that they were now asleep and missing what was going on. They knew the Bridegroom had arrived but also knew that they weren’t prepared so they rushed off to get oil.. 
Anyone who has ever done an exam knows that cramming cannot make up for attendance at classes, and revision. It’s too late. And equally there comes a point where it is too late to prepare ourselves to meet with Jesus. 
The foolish bridesmaids were off looking for oil after the party had started and when they eventually got there they found the door was shut. This was something that really happened in Israeli weddings. When the bridegroom had arrived and the door had been shut, late comers to the ceremony were not admitted. 
The other interesting fact was that when the foolish bridesmaids asked for admittance they were not told “You’re too late.” They were told, “I don’t know you.”
They were treated as strangers because it was known that family and friends would have known the Bridegroom was coming and would have made sure they were ready. 
Jesus did not tell this story encourage people who are very religious to feel smug that they have a ticket to heaven whilst others do not. He tells it so that everyone does what is needed so that they can enjoy the party.

We need to sense the excitement that Jesus is coming back and take every opportunity to serve the Lord with our lamps always full of the Spirit.

God bless
Alan and Carol