NOTES for Mat 25:1-13
A wedding. Evening. The bridegroom still has not come. The bridesmaids set out to meet him. They take oil lamps with them and wait. He is supposed to come. He is late. No one knew he would be delayed for so long, but some were ready to wait through the whole night, while others were not. This parable was highly relevant when the Gospel was written: Jesus' promised coming still had not taken place, and many proved unable to wait without losing hope. The parable is relevant today as well, when many cannot 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?