Jesus continues on the theme of preparation as we enter Matthew 25 (vv. 1-13).  The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids tells the tale of these virgins who await the bridegroom.  Five bring extra oil for their lamps, five do not.  When the long delayed man arrives late into the night, the latter girls are just about out of oil.  They ask the former for some oil but they are unwilling to give them any in case they too might run out.  While those in desperate straits go off to buy oil, the bridegroom arrives, all present enter the feast, and the door is locked.  When the others return, the exchange at top occurs.  Jesus concludes by telling His listeners to stay awake since they do not know when the Lord will return.  Of course, Jesus is speaking of Himself as the bridegroom.  It should be a horrifying thought to us that we could possibly put ourselves in a position in which Jesus would utter those words to us when we meet Him at the moment of death.  A superficial relationship with the Lord in this life will not cut it.  Remember when Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 7:21)?  Our actions must follow our words, as the remainder of that verse tells us, “…but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”  Why were some virgins unprepared?  Laziness, lack of concern, carelessness, other priorities?  Scripture doesn’t tell us.  But it does say they were foolish.  We must examine our lives regularly to avoid any of these sins and distractions or any other thing that creates distance — or cuts us off entirely — from God.  Being fools for Christ is good (1 Cor 4:10); being fools to Christ may lead to our eternal separation from Him.