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From the Pastor(Matthew 5:12) |
From Rev. James Cooper
January 27, 2009
The Coming of the Kingdom of God
The parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25 tells the story of young women waiting for a wedding to begin. In a similar way people wait for life in this world to be better, but the better life is often delayed, just as the wedding is delayed in the parable.
This is the first of three parables about the Kingdom of God. Each of these parables, in its own way, describes how the Lord's kingdom comes into the world and is received by people.
We look at these parables to note things that mark improvement and progress in the world. We celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his inspirational leadership for justice and equality. We have the inauguration of a new president of the United States, with the hope for change and progress that comes with every new government. Events such as these fit the paradigm for change that the parables in Matthew 25 describe.
The issue in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins is that the bridegroom is delayed. The parable describes a fundamental change going on in the world, a change that has long been delayed. It describes "the last days of the old church and the first stage of a new one, the church being the Lord's kingdom on earth" (Arcana Coelestia 4638). So the imagery of virgins waiting for a wedding feast to begin describes people in this world anticipating change and improvement. The Lord's coming is about making these changes happen.
The "delay" is about the fact that injustice continues to exist in the world. So doubt arises. The difference between the wise and the foolish virgins is the crux of the parable. According to the Arcana Coelestia, having a lamp with no oil "means that they would not have charitable goodness in their truth. Oil in an inner sense means the good embraced by charity and love" (Arcana Coelestia 4638). Without love the lamp goes out, and doubt prevails.
The expectation is that when the Bridegroom comes everything will be good. But here is where the parable takes an unexpected turn. The foolish virgins do not go out to meet the bridegroom, nor do they enter the feast. They are out of oil, and are unable to get more in time. The wise virgins won't give them theirs, and while they go to buy more the doors are closed and they can't get in. In the parable it seems cruel and unfair.
The truth is that not everyone welcomes the truth or the Bridegroom. Not everyone will recognize the Lord's kingdom or welcome it. If you don't have oil in your lamp you won't be able to see the goodness of it. The foolish virgins are described as being shut out of the banquet, but the reality is that they refuse to enter.
The message here is that changes are happening all the time in this world, and it is important to be the kind of person who can recognize the changes that are from the Lord. The message here is that you will be able to recognize and accept the Lord into your life if you have oil in your lamp - realizing that love to the Lord and love to the neighbor are what life is about, and living this faith.
Lessons: Psalm 37:5-9, Matthew 25:1-13, Secrets of Heaven (Arcanca Coelestia) 4636