Oil and Ten Virgins

The lamp burns bright when the wick and oil are clean.

Ovid

A properly trimmed wick should provide a full, rounded flame that provides the maximum amount of light with the minimum amount of smoke. A long flame often creates smoke, which pollutes the room, smudges the chimney and wastes fuel. The process can be tricky, time consuming, and frustrating and the flame should be checked as you work. When the wicks are trimmed appropriately they will draw up the oil from the reservoir better and the flame will be clean and bright.

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however took oil in jars along with their lamps.

Matthew 25:1-4

Verse 13 of this scripture in Matthew warns us to keep watch, because we do not know the day or the hour of the Bridegroom’s return. We do not know when will be the hour of Jesus’ second coming but we are told to keep watch. We have been given many signs to watch for. We have been told to be prepared. Our lamps must be trimmed so that they can conserve oil and we need to have extra oil always ready.

Oil in the scriptures is frequently used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Oil was used as a means for health and comfort, to anoint – as a symbol of consecration, and as a token of honor. Oil was used in the lamp to be the fuel for the light. The wise virgins in the Matthew scripture could not share their oil with the five foolish virgins because no one can borrow light from another. We must have our own relationship with Jesus. We cannot borrow it from our parents or anyone else. Individually we must decide whether we believe in the Son of God or not. We must receive Him as our personal Savior. Then He is our Light also.

If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

Mother Teresa

We must be ready and stay prepared. We need to keep full of the oil of the Holy Spirit. We need to keep our wicks trimmed to give out the best Light. To keep our wicks trimmed, we need to focus on the Word of God and not allow any pollutants to get in our oil. The “awe” of God produces the purest oil in our supply.

I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine.

Charles Spurgeon