Does Jesus Know You? (Matthew 25:1-13)

"But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you'" (Mt 25:12). "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Mt 7:23).

1. Who do the ten virgins and the bridegroom represent (Mt 25:1; 9:15)? How are the virgins similar (Mt 25:1, 5, 7.)? Different (Mt 25:2-4)?
• Can you tell Christians apart?
• Is there anyone in between wise and foolish? [silly, stupid, idiots--mōros]
2. After a long delay and all the virgins fell asleep (Mt 25:5), how were the foolish virgins unprepared when the midnight cry was announced (Mt 25:6-8a)?
   
• Do you have “lamps” [visible practices], but be low on “oil” (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:22-23; Heb 11:6; Jas 2:17)? [trimmed--kosmeō]
  
3. Were the wise virgins selfish to refuse the foolish virgins’ request for oil (Mt 25:8-9)? How do you read their response?
4. What does "the door was shut" teach you (Mt 25:10; Lk 13:25-27; Isa 55:6; Heb 3:15)? 
5. Despite being invited, why does the bridegroom say "I never knew you" (Mt 25:11-12; 7:21-23; Jn 10:14-15)? 
• Did the bridegroom not know the people he invited?
• What was the foolish virgin's fundamental problem (Mt 23:25, 27; 2 Tim 3:5; Rev 3:17)?
6. How do you "keep watch" practically (Mt 25:13; 24:42; 1 Cor 9:27; 10:12; 2 Cor 13:5; 1 Tim 4:7; 2 Tim 4:2)?

• How does this parable simultaneously embody God's grace (all are invited) and human responsibility (one must prepare oil)?
• How does this (and the subsequent parables--talents, sheep and goats) inform you about what is going to happen at the end of time?
• Unlike the unprepared virgins, what are some things that you should never put off? Some things you can never borrow from others?
• In the age of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, are you comfortable with the truth that God separates and distinguishes between people:
• the wise and the foolish (Mt 25:2-4)?
• those wearing and not wearing wedding clothers (Mt 22:11-13)? 
• the many called but only a few chosen (Mt 22:14), etc?

1. Practical preparation (1-4). Taking oil in jars.

2. Panic (5-8). Give us some oil!

3. Permanant partition (9-10). The door is shut.

4. Piercing proclamation (11-13). I don't know you.

Be righteous. Be ready. Be responsible.