Preparing to Meet the Savior

When teaching about His second coming in Matthew 25, Jesus Christ gave three parables: the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats. These parables have been taught for centuries as we anxiously await His return. As many times as I've heard them, in my studies this week, I saw them in a whole new light.

The Ten Virgins

We have been taught for generations that the foolish virgins were turned away because they didn't have enough oil. This is meant to be a cautionary tale to be sure that we have gathered enough oil in our lamps, drop by drop, as we are converted to Christ. It is a true principle that experiences with Christ give us light and comfort as we wait for Him to return. But as we know, there is always more to learn from the scriptures, especially in parables.

When we read that the foolish virgins' light had gone out, a more accurate translation suggests that their light was going out, but hadn't yet been extinguished. Fearing they would not have enough oil to last, they asked the wise virgins to share. In Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord references this parable, saying,

And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived-- verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.(Doctrine & Covenants 45:56-57)

The deception of the foolish virgins came when they asked for oil from the wise virgins. The well-meaning, but imperfect, wise virgins told their friends to go find more oil before their lights went out. Then they left.

What would have happened if they had chosen to stay? We believe in a God of miracles! Maybe their lamps would have lasted long enough, after all, the Jews have dedicated an entire holiday (Hannukah) to a miracle where oil burned eight times longer than it should have. Even if the foolish virgins' lamps hadn't miraculously stretched, was the light even necessary? The light is obviously preferable, but dedication to the bridegroom surely would have been rewarded. We know that laborers hired in the eleventh hour were paid the same wage as those hired in the first (Matthew 20), so why should we expect that the Lord would turn those away who stayed despite the lack of light?

Their deception was in trusting the council of imperfect mortals, placing their faith in their own understanding, and looking to vendors for oil instead of staying focused on the bridegroom. Had they just endured even through the dark, I believe they would have been accepted.

Do we, as Latter-day Saints, accidentally push people away from Christ by insisting that they need to fill their lamps in the same way we do? Do we value our covenants with the Lord so much that we forget how much the Savior loves everyone? People can come close to Christ outside of the church. They can be just as dedicated if they have been endowed and don't wear their garments. Christ meets all of us where we are. Alma teaches us that even if we only have a desire to believe, God can work with that. If we are to be true disciples of Christ, we should be fanning the flame of others, not doubting its strength.

The Talents

There are many important lessons to be gleaned from the talents. The most common understanding preaches the worthy use of our talents and blessings for the building of God's kingdom. A slightly lesser known message is the danger of comparison. When we compare our gifts to those of others, we may feel that ours don't measure up, so we bury them out of fear or shame. Both of these are accurate and important lessons. But there is another meaning if we did deeper.

The unprofitable servant claims that he buried his talent because he feared his master knowing he was a hard or strict man. He assumed his master's character based on what he knew about him. The others knew the master because they followed his example. They became ruler over many things and entered into the joy of the lord. Does that sound like a hard man, or does that sound like a man who wants the best for his servants?

There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. If all we do is read about Him, we only get part of the story, an important part to be sure, but incomplete. Knowing Christ comes in our walk with Him. As we read about His life, follow His example, and ask for forgiveness as we make mistakes, we come to understand His character in a way that we wouldn't if we only study about Him.

This point is highlighted further in the next parable.

The Sheep and the Goats

This is an interesting parable, and one that many people tend to resent. The term sheep or "sheeple" has often been used as a derogitory term for Christians suggesting stupidity, weakness, and a lack of thought. Sheep are completely dependent on their shepherd for protection, guidance, food, and comfort. Goats, on the other hand, are obstinate. They look out for number one, taking no care for the herd. Goats are difficult to contain with fencing. They jump over, tear down, and push boundaries whenever possible. They don't need the shepherd for food because they will eat anything, even things that can make them sick, like garbage.

Sheep are a gregarious species. That means they are highly sociable and depend on numbers for safety and survival. They epitomize the two great commandments, love thy God and love thy neighbor. The people who share the characteristics of the sheep are told that they inherit the kingdom because they took care of each other, a skill they learned from their shepherd.

In Psalm 23, we learn of the Good Shepherd. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures." Do you know that a sheep will not lie down unless they have perfect conditions? If they are annoyed by bugs, fear danger, or are hungry or thirsty, they will not be comfortable. The Good Shepard annoints the head of the sheep to keep bugs away, watches over them, and leads them to the fields in the morning where they eat dewy grass. A sheep of the Good Shepherd isn't dumb, it's cared for. If we have this kind of relationship with the Good Shepherd, we learn how to care for others by how He cares for us. Learning from Him and following His example allows us to know Him. We will know His voice as stated in John 10:27 and we follow Him.

If we return to Psalm 23, there is something beautiful and often misunderstood by those who don't really know the Good Shepherd. The sheep are comforted by His rod and staff. Someone who doesn't know the Master, but only knows of Him, may assume that the rod and staff are weapons. But the sheep know that the Shepherd would never beat them. He gently nudges them, course correcting to keep them safe and heading in the right direction. Repentance for many years has gotten a bad reputation for being painful or scary, but I have never felt closer to my Savior than when I came to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit looking for forgiveness.

Conclusion

If you want to be prepared to meet the Savior, whether that be in this life or the next, know Him. Learn of Him in the scriptures and in the temple, but also spend time with Him in your daily walk. Understand how it felt to allow your spirit to be the master of your body, to serve others, and to endure through darkness. As you walk with Him everyday, He will draw near to you and reveal Himself in a way that can't be learned by study alone.