The Ten Bridesmaids
Sermon and Gospel
Rev. Barry W. Szymanski
Minister of Pastoral Care
First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa
6 November 2011 – Holy Communion Sunday

In today’s Gospel, Jesus himself tells us the story of ten bridesmaids. A wedding 2,000 years ago was a long drawn out party – and I mean a real party! a bash! The party started at the house of the bride’s parents. Much food and festivities.

After a few days, he bridesmaids, in this particular story ten of them, would go to escort the groom to the marriage house, which was the house of the groom’s parents. Then the bride and her parents and entourage would come, and the wedding would take place, and the festivities would continue for many more days.

In this story Jesus said that five of the bridesmaids planned ahead by bringing enough oil to burn in their lamps for an entire evening. They planned so that if the groom was late, they would have more oil to pour into their lamps and torches. The idea was that the bridesmaids would have large enough lamps and torches, which would look like mini-bonfires, creating a lot of light out of the darkness, and adding to the celebration. However, five of the bridesmaids did not plan ahead and ran out of oil for their torches. So, while they were waiting, their lamps or torches started to burn out of fuel.

The five who appropriately planned ahead and had enough oil could not give what they had, because then no one would have enough to light the way for the groom, and the wedding party, to find their way in the darkness to the groom’s parent’s house --and don't forget, that is where the second grand party, the wedding event itself, was to start! So the unprepared five bridesmaids had to leave to find more oil to burn. Remember, it was midnight!!!!!

While they were gone, the groom, who was running late in arriving, finally did arrive. Maybe he had cold feet? But when he did get there, he, the bridesmaids, and all else in the wedding party, entered into the house to be join in the festivities. Once they entered, probably for security, they locked the gates for they did not want strangers and thieves to crash the wedding. When the other five finally got their oil, they walked back to where the wedding festivities were taking place, but the groom and his parents told them that the gate was locked. They were not to enter! Doesn't take much to imagine their disappointment. In fact, I would say that absolute frustration was more like it.

When we look carefully at this story that Jesus tells us, he begins it by telling us that ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like this.” If we keep his context in mind throughout the reading of this passage, what Jesus is telling us will have greater meaning.

This is a parable told to us by Jesus himself as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel at 25:1-13:

Jesus said:

“The kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

These are the words of our Lord himself. What can we learn from this story? First, all of the bridesmaids had faith that the groom would eventually arrive for the wedding. Not one of the ten left because they did not have hope. None left because they were bored, or despaired.

In fact, Jesus tells us that, because of the groom’s delay, “all of them became drowsy and,” -- What did they do? they “slept.” We can understand this, because we know that we can't be awake all the time. We have to sleep also.

Notice that Jesus is talking on a number of levels here. On one level, the ten bridesmaids are just plain sleepy. On the level of the Kingdom of Heaven, the same ten bridesmaids are also drowsy. On a spiritual, the 'let's get into Heaven level,' the ten bridesmaids are not alert spiritually, they are not always aware or conscious of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our personal vigilance also has that kind of lack of attentiveness to God's Kingdom, into spiritual matters, for we also become drowsy. We also become lethargic at times about spiritual matters. The divine sometimes slips away from our minds and hearts. We are human.

Let's return to those bridesmaids, and what was the difference between them? Jesus tells us that some were wise and some were foolish. Some, in their common sense wisdom, planned ahead. Others, in their thoughtlessness, did not properly prepare for a long evening of waiting in the darkness. Remember – at that time – no streetlamps. Darkness was very dark. It was clear that all of the bridesmaids wanted to serve, they all loved the bride and groom, and that is why they were there. But only some organized their lives so that they were ready.

Jesus gives us the punch line by reminding us that our death can take place at any time. Jesus said that we “know neither the day nor the hour.” If you re-read this parable, keep your focus on verse 1: where Jesus introduced this story by telling us that “the Kingdom of Heaven will be like this.” What is the timing to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

Is it when we, who “know neither the day nor the hour” are taken by surprise, and the oil of our lives has run low. What is the oil of our lives? Is it love of God? Is it love of neighbor? What happens when we cry out “Lord, Lord, open” the gates to your Kingdom? What is our disappointment when our Lord replies, “I don’t know you.” What is our frustration when our Lord says to us, “I don’t know you.”

Do you think that when Jesus uses the name “Lord" he intends to pull you to himself in this parable? Do you think that Jesus is reminding you that there is a finality to this life and that prudent decisions need to be made by you about your relationship with God?

Even 2,000 years later, we realize, that the wedding, started with a pre-party – and, after the wedding, an even larger party was to follow when the groom arrived. In this story, the foolish and reckless five bridesmaids did not give any thought to the fact that they needed anything more than their temporary lamps. They assumed, that once the second party started there would be a lot of torches, and oil, and food, dancing, wine, at the grand party.

There is yet another message: Jesus tells us that we have to be patient as we await the coming of the groom – the groom being Jesus himself. While we are waiting, we must have a life strategy. We are to be prepared. We are to formulate a plan -- we don’t know our lifespan. We can die at anytime. This is a frightening message. It is sobering!

Jesus tells us that if we have not well prepared, the door may be closed to us! If we are not ready, the entrance to his Kingdom may be shut. This was not what his listeners wanted to hear at that time, and this is not what we want to hear in 2011. This is certainly not the message of current culture, which is that no matter what, we all get to go to the second grand party. Jesus tells us that we may not all go to that party!

I wanted to share some of the background with you, because this is not my message. All I am doing is trying to explain what Jesus himself said. It is a scary thought. But Jesus also alludes to some other ideas: Jesus tells us that waiting outside in the darkness is dangerous, so stick together – be church – be the two or three gathered in his name. And keep the lights on. Make sure there is enough oil. What is that oil? Prayer. Scripture. The beatitudes. Being nice even when it is hard. Remembering that Jesus is the light of the world.

I think that Jesus tells us that we should enjoy this first party – in other words, enjoy this life – before the groom comes to the parade to usher us into that second grand party. Life is a gift – enjoy it. But while enjoying life, be prepared. Remain vigilant.

We are to be prepared because we do not know the day nor the hour.’ Sobering words. But this takes us to Jesus sharing his very life with us, when he gives us ordinary bread, and ordinary fruit of the vine, Jesus asks us to eat of the broken bread, and drink of the cup, and remember that it was his body and his life-blood that he gave for us. That is a vivid memory for all of us. We grow and are nourished because of and through him.

Let us be nourished by partaking in Holy Communion – union with our Lord. Union with Jesus who made the wedding party at Cana a success with great wine! Union with the Lord that tells us that we are to enjoy the party that we are in now, in this life, and to expect, at the second party, when we are with the Lord groom, even more food, bright lights, music and dancing, wine, and more.

We don’t know the package that is called the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus has in store for us. But we have heard his parable. So, keep the fire of your lamps burning, and . . . keep your oil in good supply.

Amen.