33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. – Luke 21:33
Jesus tells the disciples a parable using a fig tree. He has been talking to them, and preparing them for the time that would be coming, when he would no longer be with them, but also about the day in which he shall return. Jesus speaks is what is called apocalyptic language talking about signs and wonders.
The disciples are curious as to when they will see such signs, and so Jesus has them look at a fig tree. When it and the other trees sprout new leaves you know when it is. Jesus use the depiction of new leaves because he is talking about new growth. He is talking about a renewal of things that once might have been considered dead. When we think about this in comparison to what happened on that faithful resurrection day, we know that he disciples finally got all the Jesus had said to him.
What was dead, is no alive again, and we have a something to live for, we have something to be excited about, we have no fear now in death, because death is defeated in God has raise our Lord to live forevermore.
These weeks of quarantine of being out of routine, or not being able to see one another, have been trying in many regards. I’m amazed that the new skills I have learned, the ways I have found to keep my kids entertained, and myself busy. It has felt like we were living into some of these signs and wonders of Jesus apocalyptic language. We feel as though we are trying to survive a literal plague. However, I’m reminded each and every day, as I spend time in prayer, or as I read through the scriptures, that this world has felt dead before. The world and its people have seen times of trial and tribulation, yet we are still here. The words of God that have brought forth life before, will bring them forth again, and in those words that will not pass away, we remain hopeful.
May the God of the greatest hope, lift your heart today.
Grace & Peace,
Sam