In ancient Jewish culture, weddings were different than in ours. They often happened in the middle of the night, when the bridegroom and everyone else in the village would get into a processional. They were a big deal because in those days, people’s lives were a little more boring. Many were farmers and they were simple, so when a wedding happened, it was a huge, amazing celebration that often lasted a few days. For many, it was the biggest event of the year.

This is important to you and me because Jesus is talking about the wedding as a picture of His Kingdom. He’s talking about joy, laughter, singing, joking, being alive and being human! And He gives us an invitation to celebrate His arrival. The young women in the parable didn’t bring any extra oil and their lamps burned out, so they became people with lamps without oil. And Jesus says it’s like that if you’re not ready or prepared for Him, whether it comes to the end of your life or to other great opportunities. Without the Holy Spirit’s oil in your lamp, you can’t see and you can’t celebrate the coming of His Kingdom.