Sometimes we just don't know what to do with Jesus' teaching. Let's be honest, this chapter just doesn't fit very well with our gospel theology. We spend most of our energy making sure that the eternal destiny of a person is secure because they prayed a prayer. Jesus apparently has very different concerns. Do the virgins have oil in their lamps? I suppose a case could be made for having oil in their lamps equating to trusting Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit. That raises a lot of additional questions though when we read it through the lens of our modern American understanding of church and evangelism. Why didn't the virgins with oil share their oil? How much Holy Spirit do we need in order to get into heaven? Why weren't they warning the oil-less virgins all along? Didn't they care about them? Who are the oil merchants they are sent to? Aren't we all supposed to be sharing the gospel? I could go on, but I think we are missing the point.
Jesus is concerned that the virgins have oil. He is concerned that the servants entrusted with his wealth invest it for gain rather than sitting on it. When I read this story I want to ask, "What if the servant invested the money and the stock market dropped? Would he have been in as much trouble as the one who buried it?" Jesus is concerned that they were good stewards of that with which they had been entrusted.
Jesus is concerned about the virgins having oil. He is concerned about the servants being good stewards. He is also concerned about how people treated strangers, the sick, and the imprisoned. It is unfortunate that we have often shown more interest in getting people to pray a prayer and come to church than in the things Jesus seems to be concerned about.
Clearly this is not the passage you take someone to for a clear expression of the gospel. But, this is a picture of the kingdom. Let's not get distracted by a discussion of which kingdom, when the kingdom is, and where the kingdom is. Let us rather embrace the practical theology of Jesus that says, "Throw down your paradigms of religion. Watch carefully for the coming King. Use everything God has entrusted to you for the good of the King and the kingdom. Start paying attention to the needs of the hurting and needy. Love people more than you love your theology.
Father, I confess that theology and form are often easier to love than you and your people. Let me see my world through Jesus eyes today.
Jesus is concerned that the virgins have oil. He is concerned that the servants entrusted with his wealth invest it for gain rather than sitting on it. When I read this story I want to ask, "What if the servant invested the money and the stock market dropped? Would he have been in as much trouble as the one who buried it?" Jesus is concerned that they were good stewards of that with which they had been entrusted.
Jesus is concerned about the virgins having oil. He is concerned about the servants being good stewards. He is also concerned about how people treated strangers, the sick, and the imprisoned. It is unfortunate that we have often shown more interest in getting people to pray a prayer and come to church than in the things Jesus seems to be concerned about.
Clearly this is not the passage you take someone to for a clear expression of the gospel. But, this is a picture of the kingdom. Let's not get distracted by a discussion of which kingdom, when the kingdom is, and where the kingdom is. Let us rather embrace the practical theology of Jesus that says, "Throw down your paradigms of religion. Watch carefully for the coming King. Use everything God has entrusted to you for the good of the King and the kingdom. Start paying attention to the needs of the hurting and needy. Love people more than you love your theology.
Father, I confess that theology and form are often easier to love than you and your people. Let me see my world through Jesus eyes today.
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