Many people were confused when Isai- He told them that “How Much ah told them about the coming of a when they saw the Messiah, and now the people who were leaves begin to Longer?” listening to Christ were still confused. show, they knew “The Parable of the Fig Tree” Jesus was spending his days preaching that summer was and His nights on the Mount of Olives. right around the He was constantly being followed by corner. That was- people who were questioning. At the n’t anything they beginning of the chapter containing didn’t already this parable, Christ is standing there know. Then He while people are bringing their offer- went on to tell ings. Christ noticed a poor widow who them that when had come and put in what would be they saw things equivalent today to two pennies. He happen, they watched the rich offering much more. would know that Then He said to the disciples “The plain God’s kingdom was about to be on truth is that this widow has given by earth. This is exactly what they wanted, far the largest offering today. All these but now were they going to know and others made offerings that they’ll nev- when was it going to happen? “Seek ye the Lord while He may be er miss; she gave extravagantly what found, call ye upon Him while He is she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!” Christ didn’t give them an answer. He near.” Isaiah 55:6 Luke 21:1-4. just told them to pray without ceasing and always be ready. He told them it The disciples couldn’t understand that. would come as a thief in the night and How many times do we want to ask Then the people were talking about the so they had to be constantly aware of “How much longer?” over many things, beautiful temple and how remarkable what was happening. Then He told not just traveling? The saying is often the stonework was and the beauty of them “Truly I tell you, this generation attributed to kids riding in the back seat the gifts that had been offered. Jesus will not pass away until all these of a car, but I think it can also apply to said “All this you’re admiring so things have taken place. Heaven and us many times. Basically that is what the much—the time is coming when every earth will pass away, but my words disciples were asking that prompted Christ to tell them the parable of the fig stone in that building will end up in a will not pass away. But about that day tree. The parable of the fig tree is found heap of rubble.” Luke 21:5-6 They and hour no one knows, neither the in Matthew 24:32-36; Mark 13:28-32; wanted to know when and how. They angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only and Luke 21:29-33. In the verses preced- could only see the material things. That the Father.” Matthew 24: 34-36. Do we ing it, the disciples are anxious. They is what we can see today. We have to have enough faith to accept this? have been faithfully listening to Jesus have faith to see past the material preach and they wanted some action. things to the heavenly things, but that I think they might have wanted to ask They wanted to know when something is not easy. “Aren’t You the Son? Don’t You know? was going to happen. They did not un- Can’t You tell us how long? I think this derstand what Christ was telling them in Christ was not only talking about the was all confusing to them then as it is His parables or stories, but they would structural temple, He was also referring to us today. They were listening to the not have been able to understand it in to their body. Our temples or bodies are Son of Man, yet He couldn’t tell them any form any more than we would have only temporary structures. This all led the answers in a way they could under- or than we can today. into the story about a fig tree. stand. We are in the same situation Nathanael asked Philip “Can anything Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are good come from Nazareth?” Philip mighty and You tell us so much and yet asked him to go with him and he would we always want to know more. In all show him. When they approached Your wisdom, You know that we cannot Christ, Nathanael questioned how handle more. Help us to be ready when Christ knew him. Christ told him You call, and always ready to witness “Before Philip called you, I saw you un- for You to those we see every day by the der the fig tree.” Nathanael answered, way we live and the things we say. "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you Amen are the king of Israel." 1. How do the signs in nature apply to Christ’s promise to God’s wisdom for us today? Nathanael: “Jesus 2. Do we need to prepare for the vari- ous seasons in our lives as well as said, “You believe because the seasons of nature? I told you I saw you under 3. Why do you think Christ didn’t give the fig tree. You will see more direct answers to the disci- greater things than ples? today. Christ is with us every day and that.” He then add- 4. Do you think you want direct an- He has told us that we have to be ready. ed, ‘Very truly I tell you, swers today? What would it profit None of us know when we will be j you? called. But we want to know answers. you will see ‘heaven open, 5. If you knew when you were going to We would do well to reflect on the and the angels of God as- leave this earth, should it prompt words to the song, “Day by Day” from cending and descending you to do things differently? the musical by Stephen Schwartz and on the Son of Man.”’ 6. Do we have the same promise that John-Michael Tebelak GODSPELL. John 1:50 was given to Nathanael?

“Day by day, oh, dear Lord, three things I pray To see Thee more clearly The Parable of the Fig Tree Love Thee more dearly Follow Thee more nearly, day by day.” “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and We want to hear more than just that the putteth forth leaves, ye know that new leaves on a tree tell us summer is summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when around the corner or than when the ye shall see all these things, know that leaves begin to turn color, that fall is it is near, even at the doors. Verily I approaching. We want to know so say unto you, This generation shall not much. We want to know what about to- pass, till all these things be fulfilled. morrow. We aren’t satisfied to go just Heaven and earth shall pass away, but day by day. my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, Nathanael, the disciple, also had his no, not the angels of heaven, but my doubts. Before he had met Christ he Father only.” Matthew 24:32-36 was told he was from Nazareth.