Chapter 29—“To Meet the Bridegroom”
This chapter is based on
Matthew 25:1-13
.
Christ with His disciples is seated upon the Mount of Olives. The
sun has set behind the mountains, and the heavens are curtained with
the shades of evening. In full view is a dwelling house lighted up
brilliantly as if for some festive scene. The light streams from the
openings, and an expectant company wait around, indicating that a
marriage procession is soon to appear. In many parts of the East,
wedding festivities are held in the evening. The bridegroom goes forth
to meet his bride and bring her to his home. By torchlight the bridal
party proceed from her father’s house to his own, where a feast is
provided for the invited guests. In the scene upon which Christ looks,
a company are awaiting the appearance of the bridal party, intending
to join the procession.
Lingering near the bride’s house are ten young women robed in
white. Each carries a lighted lamp and a small flagon for oil. All are
anxiously watching for the appearance of the bridegroom. But there is
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a delay. Hour after hour passes; the watchers become weary and fall
asleep. At midnight the cry is heard, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet him.” The sleepers, suddenly awaking, spring to
their feet. They see the procession moving on, bright with torches and
glad with music. They hear the voice of the bridegroom and the voice
of the bride. The ten maidens seize their lamps and begin to trim them,
in haste to go forth. But five have neglected to fill their flasks with oil.
They did not anticipate so long a delay, and they have not prepared
for the emergency. In distress they appeal to their wiser companions
saying, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.” (Margin.)
But the waiting five, with their freshly trimmed lamps, have emptied
their flagons. They have no oil to spare, and they answer, “Not so; lest
there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell,
and buy for yourselves.”
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