Following is an extension of the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids. This midrash was used in one of our prayer stations at this week's worship. For a full sermon on this text, go here.
Then 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.
The parable continues...
The wise bridesmaids who
remained to welcome the bridegroom, entered the party lighting the way, and the
crowd followed, laughing and dancing and making merry. When they arrived inside the courtyard, they
saw, spreading out in every direction, tables, beautifully covered in colorful
linens and set with sparkling dishes. Beyond that was a huge room – with a long a
banquet table heavy with delicious foods, a shining dance floor flanked by
musicians, and an air of anticipation, abundance and joy all around.
The crowd streamed through
the courtyard toward the food and dance floor.
But before then could go any
further, the door matron stopped the bridesmaids.
“You can’t bring your lanterns
in there.” she said.
“Why?” one of the bridesmaids
asked her. “We have an essential role to play!”
The door matron chuckled.
“Oh, no, no. Your role is
over. The only way to be in this party
is to be a guest.”
“But we’ve trimmed our lamps,
and we have extra oil!” the bridesmaid protested. “Our light is what got the bridegroom
here!”
The one standing next to her,
nodding furiously, sputtered, “And how will people know we are the bridesmaids
if we aren’t holding our lamps?”
The door matron held up her hands
and gently answered, “Listen folks, here we have torches and chandeliers, fireflies
in jars, bonfires and candles on every surface – more light than we need, truth
be told.
There is nothing for you to
do, no role to fill, no job to attend to, no place to earn. Just find a comfortable seat and enjoy the
music! Fill a plate and eat! Get out on the floor and let loose! That’s all
there is to it!”
She continued, “You did your
part to celebrate the bridegroom’s arrival!
I get it. Great job!”
Then she leaned toward them
with a loud whisper, “But you do know
that he would’ve found the front door anyway, right? Those lamps are mostly
symbolic.”
She gestured to the edge of
the yard. “Please extinguish your lamps
and place them in the dirt, there, by the outer wall, to cool off. We’ll douse
them with water to speed the process along.
Now, where is the rest of your
group? There are supposed to be ten of you…”
