You have seen those words on almost every kind of ticket you have ever purchased. They mean that the ticket is only available for the person or by whom it was purchased. We understand exactly what they mean. Even membership in clubs are 'non-transferrable' . Here in our story it is preparedness for the coming of the bridegroom which proved to be 'non-transferrable'. The outdoor oil lamps of the day were mostly oil soaked rags, (with a small reservoir), mounted on a pole. The reservoir needed to be refilled about every fifteen minutes. It is easy to see how the five of the girls said, 'Our lamps are going out'. They did not have extra oil with them. As our Lord said, 'Five were wise (and took extra oil) and five were foolish'. The point of the parable emphasises the need to be prepared before the crisis hour arrives. Here it is the arrival of the bridegroom. Until then it would have been hard to tell the difference between the two groups. In reality it is a picture of the second coming of Christ. In his previous messages (and in his message to follow) Christ spoke of the division that would occur at his sudden return. Two men in the field, one is taken the other left. The parable of the faithful and the unfaithful servants speaks of division. The judgment of the sheep and the goats tells the same story. There is perhaps nothing so tragic, so pathetic than the picture of those five unprepared girls. The awful shock of their empty jars and the finality of the answer of their request. And lastly the closed door and the words, 'I don't know you'. We can share many things in life but readiness for Christ's return is an individual matter and salvation is non-transferrable. The good news is - there is still time to get ready, NOW. |
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