Every year, I give my children a dinner and a musical for their birthdays. I was taking Landon to the Eccles Theatre in SLC to see Mrs. Doubtfire. We got to SLC early and enjoyed Mexican food at Red Iguana then it was only 7:05 and the show started at 7:30- so we leisurely wandered over to the theatre. When we got there, there were no lines at security and the lobby was mostly empty. I thought, “Man, we are really early!” We laughed and turned the corner and realized we didn’t get there early. We arrived late. It was 7:15 and the show started at 7:00. WHAT? When did that change? Why didn’t I know? We could have been here on time! I was so mad. I wanted to go right in, but the usher had instructions that you can’t go in til after applause from a big musical number. The door was closed. I was furious. I was locked out. How did this happen?
I didn’t read the emails that said the time had changed. I didn’t read my tickets that said the time had changed. I thought I was prepared, but I was not. I had run out of oil. My heart and stomach sank. My muscles clenched, and my nerves were on fire. I was missing out.
In the parable of the Ten Virgins (found in Matthew 25), we know that ten women were invited to a wedding banquet. They were waiting outside for the feast to begin, to be invited in. They were waiting for the bridegroom to come. They were prepared and had oil in their lamps and some had extra oil, so they could light them while they waited.
(We brought back from Israel an oil lamp replica that these women would have had. They are very personal, and on’t give off much light beyond a small circle. )
So they all have lamps and they are all lit, but five of those lamps didn’t have enough oil, and they go out. The five wise say, “ Go get some more oil and come back.” Why couldn’t they share? It all seemed very selfish. (I understand now that it’s not about oil and lamps, it’s about testimony and faith– which is personal and we each need our own. )
BUT….
I always wanted the five with lamps burning bright and extra oil to say, “It’s okay– come stand by me and share my light, the Bridgroom will understand.. It’s okay.” And maybe they did. But maybe the five without oil didn’t believe that it would be okay and so they left to get more oil.
When they return the door is closed and the five-wise with oil in their lamps were already inside, and the other five foolish were stuck outside after having left to get more oil and the Bridgroom (the Savior) says, “You did not know me.”
I bet their hearts and stomachs sank, and their muscles clenched and their nerves were on fire. They were missing out!
I believe Jesus said, “You did not know me”… because had they known him and his goodness, and mercy, they would have stayed and trusted that it was all going to work out, with or without the oil in their lamps. But they didn’t know HIM…and so they didn’t trust and they left.
I think of being stuck outside of the theatre wanting so badly to go in. I wasn’t prepared, because I hadn’t read my emails and instructions…it seems the whole rest of the theatre audience had. I eventually got into the theatre. I didn't leave. I knew theatre etiquette. My story ended okay.
We don’t know what happened with the five foolish in this virgin story…..but, I’m sure God’s merciful hand was extended to them and they are with Him at the banquet now.
