NOTES for Mat 25:1-13

A wedding. Evening. The bridegroom is still nowhere to be seen. The bridesmaids go out to meet him. They take oil lamps and wait. He is supposed to come. He is late. No one knew he would be delayed for so long, but some were prepared to wait all night while others were not. This parable was highly relevant when this Gospel was written: Jesus’ promised coming still had not taken place, so many proved unable to wait without losing hope. The parable remains relevant today, when many do not understand where Christ is: we are so far removed from the events of two thousand years ago, and no one knows when He will come a second time. Where is He? How much longer must we wait? Will there be enough oil? Will there be enough faith and hope?