The Invitation - Day 27

“Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree or any other tree. 30 When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.38 The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.”

So, we end this chapter with a parable, a warning, a promise, and the commentary that people loved what Jesus was saying to them.

The Parable:
Jesus reminds us that we know when the seasons change due to the effects of a fading season on nature. We know when spring is coming as we see winter fading. The same is true of summer to fall. So, we should be aware of what is happening around us, our communities, and the world. Sometimes, this can be overwhelming, especially when living in contentious times. Remember, Jesus did not have access to the internet or all the ways we get information nowadays. Therefore, as we keep track of current events, we should also track how God works in our immediate world, community, and families to see how God is still involved in our lives.

A Warning
Jesus tells us to watch out and not be dulled into not paying attention to what is happening around us. This warning is to stay engaged in the world and your family and let nothing dull you from being an engaged and active Christian.

A Promise:
He promises that “this generation will not pass away” before seeing these things happen. And the truth is that we all see these things happen around us constantly. We see Jesus come into people’s lives, we see horrible disasters, and we see people leave and fade away from the faith. Everything Jesus had mentioned has come to pass today! So these words are just as present today as they were 2000 years ago as the disciples heard them.

Lastly, people were drawn to his words as they offered hope, compassion, peace, and joy, even amid all the suffering and persecution. People instinctively knew they should come closer to Jesus when the going gets rough.

And that is the word for this week and what you need to help those studying with you know. No matter what happens, we should move closer to Jesus anytime. This will be our home, safety, sustenance, and joy!
 
JOURNAL

1. Have you ever taught end-time stuff before? Are you nervous? 
2. Have you ever thought about the end of time happening every day for someone around you? 
3. How can we help new believers understand that the end of time is not something to fear but to experience with Jesus?