Parable of the Ten Virgins Matthew 25,1-13

Extract

Parable of the Ten Virgins – Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Chapter One

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And five were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps” Matthew 25:1-4.

There is not in the whole Bible a parable that applies more accurately to this congregation than this. Like the ten virgins, you may all be divided into two classes. Some of you are wise, I trust; and some, alas! are foolish. Like the virgins, you all profess a great deal; and yet some have the gift of the Holy Spirit, and some want it. And the day is fast hastening when you will be separated. The truly saved among you will enter in with Christ, the rest will be shut out for eternity. At present I can overtake only three facts.
1. God’s children are wise; the rest are foolish (verse 2). Those of you who are God’s children are truly wise. First, not worldly-wise. This is denied: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (l Corinthians 1:26, 27); “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19); “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25); “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength” (Psalm 8:2). Not many of deep, profound mind are saved, not many men of learning, not many of your sagacious, worldly men – men wise to drive a bargain. These are often passed by; and God takes some little child that knows nothing of the world, or some peasant from behind his plough, and brings him to glory. Why? Just that no man may boast and say: It was my wit that saved me. Second, yet God’s children are wise, the only wise in this world.

They see things as they truly are.
You that are mere professors do not see things as they truly are. …