December 7 - Fig Tree

December 7 - Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, Luke 21:29-33

Learn from the fig tree. It's not often we are called to allow a piece of flora be our teacher, but Jesus used an example that was close by. Imagine him standing near a fig tree, pulling a branch down so that His disciples could examine it closely. He has it in His hands as He points out the tender twigs with small buds on them. Those surrounding Him are probably looking closely at it as His fingers glide across those buds while He speaks.

Just as the fig tree signifies the imminence of summer with its leaves filling out, we will recognize the return of Christ by the signs He has given us.

Matthew 24:34 offers a very difficult problem. Jesus says, "This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."

Now, my Bible (NIV) has a footnote which says that generation could be translated as 'race.' That means that the Jews will not pass away until all these things have happened. This changes everything regarding the problem. There no longer is an issue with the words Jesus' spoke and it makes much more sense. Especially as we look ahead to Matthew 24:36 when He says, "No one knows about that day or hour." If He doesn't know, how can He predict a specific timeline regarding the generation that existed at that point.

Jesus is speaking to His disciples about several things. First, He wants them to realize that the Temple will soon be coming down and that their ministry will change in ways they don't understand. He won't be there physically to walk them through those changes and He wants them to be prepared. But, He also wants them to know that the hope of His return should be very strong. Even He doesn't know when it will occur. There is every possibility that He hoped it would happen before His friends and disciples died of old age, but since only the Father knows the exact day and time, we can't be certain of anything.

Jesus next says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." He is using imagery from Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

The foundation that He has given the disciples ... His teaching, His words will remain long after the Temple is destroyed. Until He returns and gathers us to heaven, His words will be our foundation for faith and for life.