Jesus once released a famous parable that focused on a wedding. There were ten virgin bridesmaids all awaiting the Bridegroom to appear so that the wedding festivities could begin. In the parable, Jesus declares that half of those bridesmaids were wise, and that half were foolish. What made the difference between the two groups?

The wise ones carried oil and the foolish ones did not.

This parable centers around the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the age. The bridesmaids represent two types of people: those who are prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom and those who are not. Because Jesus highlights the presence of oil as the defining mark between the two groups, what do we need to glean from what He taught? What is the oil and how do I know if I have it? What do the lanterns that each virgin held represent? Can't I have oil without the lantern? Can I have the lantern without the oil?

This is no small lesson from the Son of God. The closer we get to the end of the age, the more important it becomes for each of us to discern if we have oil for our lanterns. It is not enough to hold the lantern because, if there is no oil, we become like the foolish virgins who experienced much loss when the Bridegroom appeared unexpectedly.