Today, we will be looking at the Kingdom of Heaven, readiness and wisdom, which is synonymous with oil, sleep, and slumber in Matthew 25.
Every time I read Matthew 25, I am convicted, especially if I haven’t done the work of God and have been pursuing my personal things.
In the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus likens it to the parable of the ten virgins. He likens it to readiness and wisdom. Readiness means that there is oil of gladness for the things God has given to us. Wisdom is in terms of not sleeping and slumbering, to observe, to watch, and pray because of the times we are living in.
When we get to where the Savior comes, He will not say, “Verily, verily, I say unto you , I know you not.” This was Matthew 25:12. We know not the day nor the hour that the Son of Man cometh.
The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a group of people also. It has two faces. It talks about readiness, wisdom, which is likened to oil of gladness, and sleep and slumber, which has to do with readiness and wisdom. It means that if your oil finishes, you have to get another oil.
May God help us. When I read these verses, I reflect like I am not doing enough, like I’m not the best of myself.
The Kingdom of Heaven is also likened to talent, given according to abilities. Talent, in my opinion, is something that you develop. Natural abilities are things God gives to you that come naturally.
In the book of Daniel, the Bible says that Daniel was given the ability to learn tongues. He could speak languages and he excelled in all kinds of science. He wasn’t just given a talent; he had an ability.
Here, we see that what God calls a good and faithful servant is one that He would give something, an ability or talent, and they would be able to use it for something. He doesn’t want us as Christians to be wicked and slothful, trying to reap where we didn’t sow.
We go to money exchangers. Even if it is just a piece of talent, we trade it out, not to be an unprofitable servant in the Kingdom of heaven notice not of God.
Sometimes I really feel like an unprofitable servant of the Kingdom of God. Every time I read these verses, I feel like God is telling me, “Look, you’re not putting as much for Me as you are putting for your work.”
One of the things that we have to be predominantly prepared for, at least for me, is that I always like this scripture that says, “Cast out the beam from your own eye, then you can preach to others, lest you yourself be guilty of the same sin.”
As we prepare for these last days, we know that when the last days come, we have to be watchful, set apart, to do what God wills. We prepare ourselves to do what God has commanded us to do.
One of the things He has said that we should do in the time that we wait is to feed the hungry. This could be someone that is literally hungry, physically hungry, for food.
The people that are thirsty, give them drink. Strangers, open your heart to them wisely. And clothe them with righteousness. Those that are sick and in prison, you come to them.
Many of us are in prison in our minds. Some of us are in prison physically. Some of us are sick in our minds. Some of us are sick physically.
There is not much good in speaking outwardly if you don’t do it inwardly. Real change comes from the heart.
When I read Matthew 25, I can see a lot of flaws in my own life. It is a very difficult passage to preach because it convicts me first that I’m not doing enough.
Like, I always feel like, “Okay, let me now come out and do something for God.” Maybe this is the conviction in the right direction. It’s only God that can convict the human spirit to see the wrong from the right, and the right from the wrong.
And I pray that whatever talent and ability we have, we use it to serve God. And that there is a readiness to know that He is at the door. He is at hand. So let my trade my talent to the exchangers….
One thing with oil is that it is useful for lots of things.
- If you think about oil, the first place we saw oil was in the time Elijah went to the woman who had nothing. (1 Kings 17:8–16)
- Elijah was sent to a widow in Zarephath during a time of famine.
- He asked the woman what she had, and she said she just had a handful of flour and a little oil in a jar. (1 Kings 17:12)
- He told her to bring vessels, more vessels, and God multiplied the oil, so it did not run out until the famine ended. (1 Kings 17:14–16)
- Elisha also had a similar encounter with the widow whose husband left them in debt. (2 Kings 4:1–7)
- He instructed her to gather empty vessels, and as she poured, the oil kept flowing until every vessel was filled. (2 Kings 4:3–6)
- Both Elijah and Elisha had miracles connected to oil, showing provision, multiplication, and divine supply.
- If you look at the book of Proverbs, wisdom is often associated with oil and preparation, especially in the call to seek wisdom diligently. (Proverbs 1–4 themes of wisdom as preparation and light)
- The idea of oil also connects symbolically with readiness and spiritual preparedness.
- In the Song of Solomon, there is imagery of beauty, fragrance, and anointing oils, showing intimacy and value. (Song of Solomon 1:3; 4:10)
- Typically, oil was used for beauty, fragrance, and care of the body, including hair and skin in ancient times.
- We also see the anointing of oil in the woman with the alabaster box. (Luke 7:36–38; Matthew 26:6–13)
- She poured expensive oil (perfume) on Jesus, which was seen as preparation for His burial. (Mark 14:8)
- Oil in the Old Testament was also used for anointing priests, kings, and sacred objects. (Exodus 30:25–30)
- When you put the general picture of what oil is together, it was used for anointing, healing, honour, preparation, and worship.
- I am saying the body of Christ because literally it means the church. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22–23)
- If it is used to anoint His body for burial, it is called perfume or ointment, but it still represents preparation and honor.
- You kind of understand that it is supposed to be an anointing.
- Some people say it is an anointing, some people say it is a perfume.
- You kind of understand that the body of Christ is supposed to have oil.
- The body of Christ is the church.
- So it is no wonder that Jesus would say in this parable that He is looking for oil. (Matthew 25:1–13)
(that’s when he steps in, when the task ahead seems bigger than you)