Mark 13:28-31

Passage

Jesus once more turns us to the fig tree.  This time, He is using it as a general lesson of preparedness.  Jesus says that when the fig tree puts out leaves, we know that summer is near.  In the same way we should realize that when we see these things of which Jesus speaks that the coming of the Son of Man is also near.  Jesus tells His disciples that this generation will not pass away before they see these things taking place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of God shall remain forever.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus turns us to the lesson of the fig tree.  There are certain signs in nature that let us know the seasons.  In Israel, the leafing of the fig tree was an indication that summer had almost arrived.  In the same way, when the persecution of Christians grows and ways of God are defiled, we shall know that judgment is almost upon the world.

What other signs does nature give us about seasonal change?  How good are you at reading the signs of nature?  How did you get good at reading those signs?  How can you get good at reading the signs of humanity and its season with respect to God?

Second Thought:

In order to be prepared, we have to know what to look for.  We must look into God’s Word and know truth.  We have to be willing to look into the world and truly understand the world’s perspective on Christianity.  We have to be looking out into the world and evaluate how well the world is willing to receive our message.  Again we see the importance of judging.  We are not to judge one another into condemnation.  But we are to evaluate how well the world is receiving Christ.

How well would you say the world is receiving God’s truth?  Are there parts of the Word that the world receiving better than others?  Are their parts of the world receiving the Word better than others?  Where does persecution exist?  Where is the world not receiving it at all?

Third Thought:

Jesus tells His disciples that “this generation” will not pass away before seeing the truth of Jesus’ words.  Jesus could be speaking truth here on two levels.  First, Jesus could be speaking about the destruction of the literal temple in 72 AD.  That was only about 40 years after Jesus said this and many of His disciples were still alive at that point.  However, Jesus could also be speaking symbolically here.  Jesus could be saying that “the generation of His followers” will not all pass away before they see God come in judgment.  In other words, Jesus is giving us a promise that there will always be true and genuine Christians here in this world.  They may not be numerous at all times and in all places.  But the generation of faith will not completely pass away until Christ comes again.

Is there any sense of reassurance that comes with knowing that there will be people faithful to God to the bitter end of humanity?  Why would that bring you comfort?  What will life be like for those people who are faithful to God even at the end of this age?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 13: 32-37