Know Without Being Told

Father, I need this time tonight. Help me to focus on You and to clearly hear what You have to share with me. Amen.

Luke 21:29-33 (<<click here to read the passage)

In looking at today’s picture, what comes to mind? You can tell that it is not dead. It is most definitely alive. It is vibrant. It is new growth. It has not reached its fullest potential. It’s just getting started. But…we know it’s headed somewhere. It is just a hint of what it will become.

This is a picture of a fig tree in Artas, Palestine, budding. Budding means its spring but, “When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near.” v30

It is not a difficult concept to comprehend. Children understand the differences between the seasons.

I think one of the big problems we have with what Jesus had to say about end times, is that we make it far too complicated. I’m going to go with the idea that it is not complicated. I am not too proud to announce that I can tell when spring arrives. It is not a challenge to know that summer is just around the corner when the leaves come out.

On the Church calendar, this coming Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. We often speak of Jesus’ first coming – his first Advent. The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival”. The ancient Greek uses the word parousia and it means the same thing but to flesh it out a bit more it can mean presence, arrival, or official visit.

We get His first coming, but we struggle with comprehending His second coming – His second Advent. For whatever reason, we balk at it. But just as we readily see the signs of spring’s arrival and know, without a doubt, that summer is near. Jesus is coming back!

In poking around a bit concerning Advent, I came across this wonderful quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer,

“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”

Hm…seems to fit me to a T. I know beyond doubt that I am the Lord’s, and He is mine, but that doesn’t mean I have my spiritual act together 24/7/365. There are times when I am troubled in soul. Jesus understands and accepts me though I am poor and imperfect. But most exciting of all, I am looking forward to something greater to come.

And if there is any doubt to the validity of this truth? Latch hold of Jesus’ words in verse 33,

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. _AMP

No confusion. No fear. Only hope at the promise to come!

Nov 23^rd, 2020, Mon, 7:28 pm