By Luke Sills
Text: Matthew 25:1–13
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’” — Matthew 25:6
There’s a story Jesus tells about ten bridesmaids waiting for a wedding to begin. Five are wise; five are foolish. They all start out the same—lamps in hand, hearts expectant, ready to celebrate with the bridegroom. But when the bridegroom is delayed, only half of them are truly ready when he finally arrives.
The story is simple but sobering: the wise bridesmaids brought extra oil; the foolish ones didn’t. When the bridegroom came at midnight, the foolish five ran off to find more oil. By the time they returned, the door was shut. Their cries—“Lord, Lord, open to us!”—were met with a chilling response: “I do not know you.”
The Point of the Parable
Jesus isn’t giving us wedding advice; He’s teaching us how to live in light of His return. The bridegroom represents Jesus Himself. Just as no one could predict the hour of His coming in the story, we cannot predict when Christ will return. The message is clear: don’t try to guess when—be ready always.
True readiness isn’t about knowing the timeline. It’s about having a living, active faith that keeps your lamp burning bright. It’s about a heart that stays close to Christ—trusting, obeying, and walking with Him daily.
The wise virgins were ready not because of their works, but because of their faith. Their faith was real, active, and alive—it worked itself out in readiness. They didn’t just say they belonged to the wedding party; they lived like it.
The Danger of Borrowed Faith
The foolish virgins’ mistake was not simply forgetfulness—it was presumption. They thought they could borrow oil from others. Spiritually speaking, they believed someone else’s faith could make up for their own lack of preparation.
Many make that same mistake today. They assume their parents’ faith, their church attendance, or their association with Christian friends will carry them through. But when Jesus returns, He won’t accept second-hand readiness. No one can believe for you.
Your lamp—your heart—must be filled with oil—faith, obedience, and devotion that are your own. Being around faithful people isn’t enough; your relationship with Jesus must be personal.
The Midnight Cry
At midnight, the cry went out: “Here’s the bridegroom!” That’s the moment that changes everything. The time for preparation is over; the door is closing.
There’s a deep urgency in this parable. Jesus is reminding us that His return will come suddenly—when most aren’t expecting it. For those who are ready, it’s a moment of joy and fulfillment. For those who have delayed, it’s too late.
Sir Francis Bacon once said, “The desire of power in excess caused angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall.” We often crave to know when Jesus is coming, but He’s far more concerned with who is ready when He does.
Living Ready Today
So what does readiness look like for us? Jesus’ story gives us five clear takeaways:
1. Don’t wait to surrender—Christ has already paid the price.
Jesus didn’t wait to go to the cross for you. He gave His life willingly, so you could be forgiven and free. Don’t delay your response to Him.
“Now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2
2. Don’t wait to grow—cultivate your faith daily.
Readiness doesn’t happen by accident. Keep your spiritual lamp full through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience.
“Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” — Matthew 24:42
3. Don’t wait to serve—let your light shine now.
Waiting for Christ isn’t passive. Serve others, share the gospel, and live out your faith actively.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works.” — Matthew 5:16
4. Don’t wait to hope—live with eternity in view.
Hope in Christ’s return gives purpose to your present. The wise virgins lived ready because they believed the bridegroom was coming.
“The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” — Matthew 24:44
5. Don’t wait to decide—Jesus could return at any moment.
There’s no time like now to make sure your faith is your own. The midnight cry could sound at any moment.
The Door Will Not Stay Open Forever
The most haunting part of the parable is that the door eventually shuts. It’s a reminder that God’s mercy is not endless in duration. There comes a day when the invitation to believe expires—when the waiting ends, and the Bridegroom arrives.
When Jesus went to the cross, He didn’t delay. At the appointed hour, He gave His life, was buried, and rose again—defeating death once and for all. Now, the risen Savior invites us to be ready for His return.
Don’t Wait Until Midnight
Picture a bride waiting for her groom late into the night. Lamps flicker, eyes grow heavy, and the air is still. Suddenly, a shout pierces the darkness: “The bridegroom is coming!” Those who are ready rise and go in to celebrate. The rest are left outside, wishing they had prepared sooner.
Jesus’ call is clear: Don’t wait until midnight. Don’t wait to repent. Don’t wait to believe. Don’t wait to live fully for Him.
When the midnight cry sounds, may your lamp be burning bright—your heart full of faith, your life ready to meet the Bridegroom face to face.