GO YOU OUT
MATTHEW 25:6 (KJV)
The statement in the opening scripture is said
against the background of the parable of the ten virgins. The preceding verses
let us know that they were appointed to meet with the bridegroom. Five of them
were defined as being wise; while, the other five were defined as being
foolish.
They all waited for the bridegroom, and while he
delayed in coming they slumbered and slept. Scripture says that at midnight
there was a cry made, “Behold, the
bridegroom comes; go you out to meet
him.”
Why was an emphasis placed on them going out to
meet the bridegroom? Couldn’t they have stayed where they were for the
bridegroom to come meet them since they’ve been waiting for him? It is
interesting to know that the parables of Jesus conceal Kingdom principles by
which we are to live our lives.
Jesus, being the bridegroom, cannot be met in the
present location where we are. We will have to go away from our present
location to meet with him. This location does not refer to a physical one: it
is a state of life. To meet with Jesus, you have to leave the state of sin,
sickness, oppression, poverty, mediocrity, complacency etc. Staying where you
are because of your present state of life will not make you meet with the
bridegroom who has the solution to the problems of your life. The four lepers
in 2 Kings 7 didn’t experience
wealth until they left their present state. Blind Bartimeaus didn’t experience
a change of condition until he left his present state. The woman who had the
issue of blood didn’t experience a change of experience until she left her
state of illness. Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, “stretch forth
your hand:” he wanted him to leave where he was.
Often, our present unpleasant state of life may
want to confine us to inactivity, but we are to step out in faith to meet Jesus
who has the solution that we need. We go out to meet Jesus when we take
decisions that our present state will not encourage us to take. You can’t
continue to wallow in past hurts and mistakes and experience a change of
situation. You can’t continue to stay in prayerlessness and experience a change
of life. You can’t continue to hold back from giving to others and experience
prosperity.
Scripture let us know that the wise virgins
demanded that the foolish ones went out to buy oil for their lamps. This lets
us know about another type of “going out.”
The foolish virgins thought they needed oil before
they could meet with the bridegroom. Oil makes for a state of wellness; as
scripture says that oil makes the face shine. A dull face, which is a product
of lack of oil, signifies an ill state.
The foolish virgins went out to seek solution to
their problem before meeting with the bridegroom, but on returning they were
denied entrance into the marriage because they were late. Notice, scripture
didn’t say that possession of oil was the criterion for meeting with the
bridegroom; availability was the criterion. Scripture says, “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came; and they that were ready went
in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” The word “ready”
connotes availability.
Some people seek to solve the problems of their
life before they meet with Jesus in an intimate and sincere relationship. They
say things like, “when I am through with
this issue I will get serious with God.” It ought not to be so. The foolish
virgins could have relied on the reflection from the lamps of the wise virgins,
or relied on the light from the moon, but they wanted to be in good shape
before meeting with Jesus. We need understand that Jesus wants us to come to
him just the way we are. He only requires faith in our hearts as we approach
him. The mad man of Gadarene meet Jesus the way he was and he was healed and
commissioned for the work of the gospel.
When we seek to solve our problems ourselves, we
could fall into wrong hands, get the wrong solutions, and worst of all miss
Jesus because of our lateness in heeding his invitation to salvation and a life
of significance.
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