Keeping Your Jar of Oil Full

Keeping Your Jar of Oil Full

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In Matthew 25:1-3, Jesus told the story of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins. The

parable pictures the Church awaiting the return of the Lord. Only 5 were wise in

bringing enough oil to enable them to join the wedding guests and enter into the

celebration. The 5 foolish dashed to purchase oil, but returned too late to participate.

While the parable depicts the end time Wedding Supper of the Lamb, it contains, as

well, a message for each of us as we walk through our everyday lives. How do we

make certain we have the spiritual energy, strength and commitment to see us through

the trials of life and allow us to stand victoriously in Jesus Christ?

In scripture, oil represents the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. We are

each responsible to maintain our jars of oil. Remember the 5 foolish virgins were sent

to purchase their own oil. We cannot walk in the oil (the spiritual power and authority) of

others. If the 5 wise had shared their oil, no one would have had enough to enter the

wedding supper chamber. In difficult times, we each must have our own oil, our own

relationship with Jesus Christ, our own commitment to persevere to the end. Paul

admonishes us, “Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling“ (Phil.2:12). A

crown of life awaits those who are faithful unto death. (Rev. 2:10)

How can we keep our jars of oil full? To walk in the power and authority of the

Holy Spirit, we must commit ourselves daily to our relationship with our Lord. We must

walk in obedience. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14;15)

When we walk in disobedience, we cannot walk in His power and authority. Willful

disobedience drains our oil.

To keep the oil flowing, we must be like Mary of Bethany and sit at His feet and

learn of Him. (Luke 10:38-42) Often we, like Martha, are too busy doing good works to

spend time in His presence and meditate on His word. In Psalm 119:11, the psalmist

declares that he has hidden the word of God in his heart that he might not sin. Psalm

46:10 tells us to be still and know that He is God.

I love the words of the old hymn: “take time to be holy. Speak oft with thy Lord.

Find rest in Him always and feed on His word.” When we take time to “feed on His

word”, we can personally experience His revelation and power.

In Ephesians 1:17 Paul prays, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” In Galatians 1, Paul

asserts that the message he preached came not from man, but from revelation from

Jesus Christ.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. He is still in the

business of revelation. He is still in the business of manifesting His power.

In being still and knowing that He is God, we lay up for ourselves “treasures in

heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break

through nor steal.” (Matthew 6:20) One of the treasures of Heaven is the oil of the

power and authority of the Holy Spirit. Commit yourself to being one of the wise, one

who will have enough oil to withstand the trials of life and to stand victoriously in Jesus

Christ.