Jo’s Place

​ Preparing the Lamps in the Sanctuary   In the Book of Numbers  Chapter 8: verses 1–4 The Lord said to Moses,  “ Give Aaron the following instructions:  When you set up the seven lamps in the lampstand, place them so their light shines forward, in front of the lampstand .”  So Aaron did this.  He set up the seven lamps, so they reflected their light forward, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.  The entire lampstand, from its base to its decorative blossoms, was made of beaten gold.  It was built according to the exact design the Lord had shown Moses. This was done so that the light would shine for all to see! Then, in the Gospel of Mark chapter 4:    verses 21–23, Jesus tells the parable of the lamp on the stand, to encourage his followers to stand out, to be an example, and not to hide away. The message, in this parable, would have been challenging for the first Christians, who were cruelly persecuted.  They may have hidden thei...

Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.  The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.  When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet Him!’  “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.  Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’  “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’  “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came.  Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.  Later, when the other fi...