Frequently in scripture, Jesus’ return from heaven is likened to a bridegroom coming to his wedding, as in the first parable. A common practice was for bridesmaids to go out to meet the bridegroom with their lamps burning, and often having to wait long into the night. The bridesmaids represent the disciples of Christ, most of whom will be sleeping the sleep of death when he returns. Then they will awake from the grave, conscious they are about to meet their Lord. The wise among them will be those whose minds are full of the word of God, represented by the oil in the lamps, and who are ready and prepared and therefore able to go immediately with Jesus into the wedding feast. The foolish, who in their lifetime neglected God’s word, will find themselves shut out. Here is a powerful exhortation to fill our minds with the word of God, to let our light shine before men, and to be ever ready for Christ’s coming: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh”.
In the second parable Jesus likens himself going to heaven to a man taking a journey into a far country and his disciples’ duties in his absence to commercial trading. His servants who faithfully perform his instructions will be commended by him and invited to enter into God’s kingdom and experience the joy of that future age. The disobedient will, however, be rejected.
The critical moment in the purpose of God, when the everlasting destiny of individuals will be pronounced, is at the return of Christ from heaven. This is the event to which all history has been leading: “from the foundation of the world”. Then, those who have made the effort to determine the will of God expressed in the scriptures will be invited by Jesus to enter God’s kingdom.
A principal requirement of Christ is that his followers bless and care for fellow disciples in need, even accounting that such benevolence is done to himself. Those who neglect this requirement will be classed as wicked and will suffer everlasting death in the grave. But he will class as righteous those who obey this command, and they will enter into life eternal, after receiving his welcoming invitation.
The exhortation of Jesus to his disciples that they should be ready and prepared for his coming is emphasised by his parables in this chapter.