Moment of Meditation: Oil of Faith (Matthew 25:2-4)

''Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps (Matthew 25:2-4).''

Of the ten virgins in the parable, the distinction is made between the wise and the foolish based on whether they brought oil for their lamps or not. The flask of oil is each one's gift of faith. Faith makes you wise to salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). And this parable is the first of three parables in this chapter talking about the judgment on the Last Day.

When the bridegroom comes, the foolish ask the wise to share their oil. When Jesus comes back, many who had not believed in Christ before will beg their Christian neighbors for some of their faith. But they will not be able to give any. No one can believe for another. No one can be saved for another. Faith cannot be transferred.

The foolish believe they can be "good enough" by themselves. But when the days grow long and it seems that Jesus is never coming back, many will allow their faith to grow cold (Matthew 24:12). Their faith is not strong enough to believe God's promise, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

Be wise and strengthen your faith in your crucified and risen Savior. Be in the Word. Go to church. Strengthen your faith that it may last even when it seems that Jesus is going to wait forever to come back. Amen.