James Nisbet Commentary - Matthew 25:10 - 25:10

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James Nisbet Commentary - Matthew 25:10 - 25:10


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THE PENALTY OF NEGLECT

‘And while they went … the door was shut.’

Mat_25:10

The ten virgins represent the professing Church, for the framing of the parable excludes those who are living in total neglect of outward observances.

I. The principle of the parable.

We see in what the wisdom of the wise and in what the folly of the foolish consist. There are in Christian congregations two classes—those with and those without spiritual life. In this we have the distinction between wise and foolish virgins. In the one case the outward profession will not stand the test of the Saviour’s appearing; in the other there are those living in union with Christ.

II. The details of the parable.

‘They slumbered and slept’; people now settle down to routine life when their arrangements are made.

Then the awakening comes. How well ministers know the position of a foolish man who has made no provision against his death!

The foolish virgins were disowned by the bridegroom. How sad for any of us to hear the words, ‘I never knew you.’

The foolish virgins had simply been guilty of neglect; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?

Prebendary Gordon Calthrop.

Illustration

‘What is meant by “slumbering” is going on in routine. And it may be as well for us to remember, as a corroboration of this view, that in one very true sense, sleep about eternity is as necessary for the mind as natural sleep is to the body. It is possible to be too much occupied, as it is possible to be too little occupied, with the thought of the second advent of Jesus Christ, and of the great realities of the eternal kingdom. This was the case with the Thessalonians. They allowed themselves, at least some of them did, to be so dazzled by gazing on the bright vision of the second coming, that they could not see to take up the daily tasks that lay at their feet on earth, waiting to be done.’



THE CLOSED DOOR

‘And the door was shut.’

Mat_25:10

Very solemn tone in these words, even standing alone; this feeling increases when you see in what connection they occur. They are not words of ornament, but have their own meaning for the attentive soul.

I. Passing away of last chance.—The shut door is the token of this. No one’s penitence, prayers, or groanings shall any more open the door. The ‘shut door’ is not the fastening down of the bars of hell upon the lost, but it is the ceasing of all opportunity of amendment. What boyhood is to youth and youth to manhood, that is this life to the life beyond the grave. Our life here and hereafter is not two but one, and what we make ourselves in the last portion of our being before we die, that shall we find ourselves when we stand within the borders of eternity.

II. The final and complete severance between good and evil is also foreshadowed here. It is the great separation. Here upon earth the righteous and the unrighteous are intermingled. Once exiled from the Lord and His saints, what chance of amendment can there be in the pit? And if there can be no recovering unto holiness, how any admission unto heaven?

The words are big with despair.

Bishop Woodford.

Illustration

‘It cannot be questioned but that practically, to each one of us, the moment of the Bridegroom’s coming is the approach of death—in whatsoever way that approach of death may be indicated to us—whether by the gradual increase of disease, till it reaches the point of hopeless danger, or by the rapid stroke of some visitation—it is the signal which gives the solemn note, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.” Rise, soul, rise: this is death; meet death! And as the parable is true, you cannot deny it, but that that moment will be to many persons the discovery of a secret which they never knew before, and they will find out for the first time that they are not prepared. Observe well who these persons are. They are persons who once stood in the Saviour’s train—they associated with His people—they wore His robes—they carried His lamps—they used ordinances—they said prayers—they liked forms, and at one time or other—this is the affecting part—at one time or other, their lamps had burnt; they had felt in a measure, the right feelings, and they had made their lights shine abroad; but now, it is all flickering, or dead.’