"The TEN VIRGINS" (see Matt. 25:1-13) has long been one of my favorite Bible parables, because the lesson of spiritual watchfulness resonates with me on several levels.
It opens with ten virgins being likened to the kingdom of heaven. On the surface, the maidens appear very much alike. They are appropriately dressed for the occasion, they have lamps, and they are watching and waiting for the bridegroom's arrival. What distinguishes the wise from the foolish is the amount of oil in their possession. The wise prepared for a long night and brought extra oil. The foolish have some oil—just not enough. When the announcement comes to go out and meet the bridegroom, the foolish maidens not only discover they don't have enough oil, but that the wise have no intention of sharing theirs. When the foolish maidens return from attempting to buy oil at midnight, they discover the bridegroom doesn't know them and they are locked out of the wedding festivities.
The obvious message of this parable is one of warning. Are we spiritually alert, watchful, and prepared? Is the parable also asking us if we are prayed up for our daily activities? Do we only half-prepare for work, church, families, relationships? Or expect that others will do our work for us?
