A Guru took his cat and moved into a remote cave. He loved his cat, but so as not to be disturbed by it during meditation, he put a little collar on it and tied it to his bed. When he died, his many disciples agreed that they too must move into caves, and each must also acquire a cat. Then, in their zeal, they spent days arguing over the particulars of the cat. They debated its breed, size, colour, collar design, and even the length of the string used to tie it to the bed. Nobody seemed to notice that they had lost the point in the details.
I am envious of preachers and writers who so skilfully paint word pictures that they can take you to the scene that they are describing. Praise God that we get to enjoy such talent.
However, I’m not a fan of anyone, even those of such great talent, who add in any way to Jesus’ parables. I’m not talking about details that explain culture or context, I’m talking about excessive minutia that causes one to lose the plot.
Jesus’ Parable of the 10 Virgins (Mt.25:1-13) has a simple singular message: “Get ready for Jesus’ return on Judgement Day, or you will be locked out of heaven!”
The moment that we bestow importance upon the price of lamp oil, the construction of the lamps, the availability of midnight oil, or 10 reasons why First Century bridegrooms were characteristically late, we, like the Guru’s disciples, lose the point in the details.
Jesus said that he will come like a thief in the night (Mt.24:43). No warnings, just a sudden appearing. Eternal joy for those who are ready and waiting, but eternal misery for those who have abandoned all thought or care of his return.
To understand is to prepare!
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
John Staiger
0 Comments