Vessels of Fear

suomi

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” Matthew 25:1-4

I was meditating on this passage recently. The foolish virgins were exactly the same as the wise ones. They were brides, virgins and had the lamp. However, the difference was in the vessel of oil.

That being said, wouldn’t this vessel be fear?

The foolish virgins were at ease, thinking that everything was already taken care of, that the oil would not run out before the bridegroom arrived and so, they would not need to trouble themselves with the sacrifice of carrying another vessel of oil.

What is interesting is that instead of realising that they were being careless upon seeing the wise ones sacrificing to carry their vessels, the foolish virgins must have thought that they were exaggerating!

I found this to be very strong because this is how we – all servants of God – are. Apparently, we are all the same – we are waiting for the Bridegroom. However, some have already lost the fear. And when they receive guidance towards continuing a life of sacrifice, they think it is unnecessary. After all, they are already “brides”!

When a servant is bad and negligent, everyone sees it, for it becomes apparent! However, the fool goes unnoticed by the human eye, since only the fool can examine himself and repent, before the Bridegroom returns.