Tough to Follow

Matthew 25:1-13

Is it fair to say that Jesus sends mixed messages in the parable of the ten bridesmaids? First we are told that ten bridesmaids went to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1). It just so happens that five of these women were foolish and five of them were wise; the foolish ones took no extra oil while the wise ones did (vv. 2-4). Wise and foolish bridesmaids would seem to be a good analogy, one that Jesus could use to teach his listeners important lessons about faith, but as the story continues the focal point seems to change. First the bridegroom’s arrival is delayed (v. 5a) and then all ten of the bridesmaids fall asleep (v. 5b). Later in the passage Jesus will warn his listeners to “keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” of Jesus’ return (v. 13). The focus now is on staying awake, also a good illustration that Jesus could have used to teach, but even the wise bridesmaids have dozed which confuses the issue significantly. Back in verse 6 though, the bridegroom finally arrives at midnight. But the lamps of the foolish bridesmaids have gone out; they must go to the dealers to buy more oil leaving the wise bridesmaids to accompany the bridegroom to the party (vv. 8-10). When they return the foolish women find that not only is the door to the banquet shut, but the host refuses to let them enter. “Truly I tell you,” he says, “I do not know you” (v. 12). This is a third different aspect of the story having, it would seem, nothing to do with wisdom, folly, staying awake, or sleeping.

So which factor is the most important of this story? That we stay awake spiritually? That we are wise in terms of our faith? That we are prepared for all eventualities? Or that we be recognized by the host of the banquet, who we may safely assume represents Jesus himself? Should we strive to avoid being like the sleeping foolish bridesmaids with no oil who are excluded from the banquet by the host, or to be like the sleeping wise bridesmaids with enough oil who are allowed to enter the banquet? Is that even the point?

It’s all very confusing, and I think that may be the point. I think Jesus may have been tweaking the noses of any who looked for a simple path by which to enter the kingdom of God. What Jesus gave them was a complicated flowchart filled with mixed analogies and divergent illustrations ending with a host who simply decides who gets in and who doesn’t. We can’t do anything that will guarantee salvation, he is saying. You’ve got to trust God. You’ve got to live in faith and know that God wants the banquet hall filled beyond capacity. Some folks may have enough oil, but even they fall asleep. Trust God and focus on the one factor that we so seldom notice in this reading: there’s a party going on, a time of joy and celebration. Why are we worried about lamps and sleep and darkness anyway?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your gracious love in which alone we hope. Amen.