“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!
“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”
Eternal wor
ds“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” So the nursery rhyme of elementary students goes. The words we use often come out of our mouths with little to no thought about the lasting effects they will have on people. We speak without thinking and leave verbal carnage in our wake. At other times our words bring healing and comfort to other people.
I am glad my words will not endure forever. There are some words that have been spoken by people that will endure for a long time. “I have a dream…” “We the people of the United States of America…” “I have not spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself and falls on the other…” In time, however, even these words will disappear from the world.
Imagine how precise, articulate, accurate, and encompassing your words would have to be to last forever and still be meaningful. Jesus makes that exact claim. His words will last forever. They are still as meaningful today as they were when he spoke them. I am glad I trust in a God whose every word is spoken with full comprehension of its eternal impact.
Jesus the living Word, I confess my words are often trite and not well thought out. I give you thanks for your eternal words that bring me comfort today and assurance for my tomorrows. - Dan Jones
To understand or trust
Just because words confuse us, doesn’t undermine their reliability. My chemistry teacher in High School often confused me. Still, her words were factual. If my partner and I performed the lab experiment exactly according to her instructions, it didn’t blow up!
I don’t understand much about what Jesus predicts for the future. I study his words. I look at his background in the Old Testament and his first century culture. Still, when I come to conclusions about their meaning, humility suggests that they ought to be tentative. In fact, biblical scholars today, and through the centuries, have not agreed about their meaning.
Jesus insists his teaching about the future is solid and enduring, regardless of our ability to understand them. So the key question facing me is this. Will I trust the person whether or not I understand his words? Trusting my chemistry teacher, lab experiments never failed. Trusting Jesus, I cannot fail in the laboratory of life.
Every day choices are something like a chemistry experiment. Whose words will I trust as I conduct them? Mine, yours, or Jesus’?
Wise Teacher, I will do my best to understand your teaching. Even when I don’t understand your reasoning or the spiritual dynamics, when I understand what you ask of me, I will obey it. Even when I don’t understand clearly, I will do my best to apply your teaching to my life. I choose to trust you. - Mike Leamon
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