At that time, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
Matthew 25:4
In the Scriptures, oil is used to anoint individuals for God’s service.
In the Old Testament, Aaron and his sons are anointed as priests with oil (Exodus 29) and David is anointed by Samuel to be the King of Israel.
(I Samuel 16:13) In the New Testament, believers are filled with the Holy Spirit to be empowered for God’s service and to spread the gospel. As believers, God anoints us and sets His seal of ownership upon us, putting His Holy Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:22)
The parable in Matthew 25 tells of the ten virgins who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish because they took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The other five took their filled lamps along with extra jars of oil. When the bridegroom was late in coming, the oil began to run low and the five who had not taken an extra supply were left behind when they went to buy more oil. As the bride of Christ, we must remember to keep our lamps filled with the oil of His Holy Spirit so that we will be prepared for His return. We need to be filled with His Spirit to accomplish His will on earth. As we believe in Christ and invite Him into our hearts, God anoints and seals us with the oil of His Spirit. He wants to release His Holy Spirit in our hearts so that we can live powerful lives for Him. The foolish virgins were not prepared for the bridegroom. When he arrived they did not have enough oil in their lamps. Let us be like the wise virgins who were prepared for His coming by keeping their lamps filled.
Have you asked the Lord to fill you with His Spirit? He wants to anoint and empower you daily to live as a powerful witness to the gospel.
Daily seek His filling and you will never run short of His supply of oil.
Heavenly Father,
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Release the life of Christ in me as I surrender to Your will. Empower me to be a witness for Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
