# Day 286

# The Story of the Ten Bridesmaids

Matthew 24:1,2; 25:1–13

Jesus’ disciples said, “Teacher, look at these beautiful temple buildings.”

Jesus replied, “Not one of their stones will be left upon another. All this will be destroyed.”

The disciples asked, “When will this happen, Lord?” Jesus answered them with this story:

“Ten bridesmaids had their lamps and were waiting to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish. Five were wise. The foolish ones had lamps but no extra oil. The wise had extra oil for their lamps.

“At midnight, they heard a shout: ‘The bridegroom is coming!’ The bridesmaids lit their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some oil. Our lamps are going out.’ But the others said, ‘No, there’s not enough for all of us. Go buy your own.’

“While they went to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived. He took the wise bridesmaids into the wedding feast. The door was shut. Then the other bridesmaids came. ‘Lord, lord, open the door,’ they called. The bridegroom answered, ‘I don’t know who you are.’ ”

“So be alert. You don’t know the day or the hour when your Lord will come.”

Questions: What did Jesus say would happen to the temple? What can we learn from the story of the bridesmaids?