The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  Matthew 25:4, NKJV

Waiting.  It’s an unavoidable dynamic of our faith journey, but that doesn’t make it an easy part of our faith journey. Whether it’s waiting for a prayer to be answered, for healing to come, or for Jesus Himself to return, waiting tests what our hearts are made of.

In Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins, everyone had lamps and everyone fell asleep while waiting for the bridegroom. But when the midnight cry rang out—“Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”—only half of them still had oil left to keep their lights shining.

The oil represents something more than good intentions.

It’s the quiet, daily filling of the Holy Spirit who leads us to know God personally.  

When the lamp of God’s Word leads us to meet Jesus day by day, we grow in a relationship that keeps our hearts burning with love for God and those around us even when the night feels long.

Jesus’ story isn’t meant to shame us for growing weary of waiting (even the wise fell asleep!) This parable is supposed to remind us that spiritual endurance doesn’t come from staying busy—it comes from staying close, staying connected, staying in communion with Christ.

Jesus is inviting us to light the way to the wedding and enjoy that great union someday soon.  How?  By making sure our lamps are continually supplied with oil — i.e. by daily opening God’s word not just for information about Jesus but for personal connection with Jesus.  

When relationship with Jesus is our priority, we’ll be better equipped to witness for Jesus from first-hand experience (cf. Mt. 24:14).  

When we seek God’s face in His Word, we’ll be able to make Him known to the world (cf. Ps. 67:1-2).

If you’re looking for a simple way to read the Bible for relationship like this, try using the reflection questions below.  Whether in a small group setting or in your personal time alone with the Lord, these questions can help shift from an informational to a more conversational experience with God in His Word.

So even if the wait for Jesus’ return is longer than we thought, we can be grateful that what feels like delay is opportunity to abide.  Every moment of waiting is an invitation to know Him more deeply and reflect His light more clearly.

🕯️ Reflection Questions for Relational Connection

Choose a small passage of Scripture and read through it aloud or silently (e.g. a Psalm or story from one of the four Gospels).  Then re-read the passage and ask the following questions:

1. Summary — How would I summarize this passage?  What main details/themes would I share with someone else who had never read this before?
2. Standouts — What verses, phrases, or details stand out to me?  Why do they stand out?
3. Connections — What connects my life or my present experience right now?
4. Invitations — What is God inviting me personally to do/experience?

🙏 Prayer

“Lord Jesus, help us to stay close to You while we wait. Fill us each day with Your Spirit, and cause Your Word to become life to us!  As we grow in our personal relationship with You, keep our lamps burning brightly to help others prepare for Your soon return. Amen.”

Click here to download a .PDF of this devotional guide.