In this story we read: "Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps." Matthew 25:2-4
The bridegroom comes and the foolish bridesmaids discover that they have no oil. They are unprepared. They begged for oil from those who had some. Those who had their oil refused and said to the others that they must go and buy their own oil.
The moral of the story is that some of the bridesmaids were simply unprepared.
Do you see yourself as being in a waiting mode for Jesus' return? We do not know the hour of his coming. In the story, the bridegroom (signifying Jesus) comes during the night when the bridesmaids were sleeping. The hour of his coming is determined by his heavenly Father.
In preparation for Sunday's worship, I would invite you to read the story in its entirety. Think, too, of whether or not you have that OIL - that is you are prepared in a spiritual sense as you are waiting.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
Do you give much thought to Jesus' return?
How would you find yourself living in expectation and being prepared for his return?