29 Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Understanding things is very important, especially understanding God’s Word. But sometimes it’s just as important to know what things you don’t understand. Today’s passage is a great example: I don’t understand verse 32. In fact, I suspect nobody today knows for sure what Jesus meant when he said, “this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.” Who did he mean by “this generation”? Maybe he meant that the climactic signs of his coming will not last longer than one generation – those who “see these things happening” (verse 31) will also see the end itself. Or maybe he was using “this generation” to talk about this entire age of evildoers who persecute his people and cause violence and bloodshed in the world – they will keep doing those things right up to the end.

I don’t know – which is good for me. Keeps me (and hopefully all of us) humble before God’s Word.

But I still find this passage very encouraging! Because Jesus tells us two things we can know for sure: we can know that the kingdom of God will come, and that Jesus’ words will never pass away. We can know because we have already seen the signs.

Jesus tells a little parable about how trees can show you what’s just around the corner: when they sprout, you know summer is near. When we lived in Chile, the street just around the corner from us was lined with trees that were bare through the winter. But in spring, out of nowhere, they would all suddenly burst into the most beautiful display of cherry blossoms. It was a certain and reliable sign that summer was coming.

There may be signs in the future that Jesus’ return is near – the things Jesus has talked about earlier in this chapter. I don’t understand everything there either! But we have already seen the most important signs of the coming of God’s kingdom: Jesus the Messiah died for our sins and was raised to life in glory, to fulfil all the Old Testament Scriptures. God did those things publicly, as signs that Jesus has already established God’s kingdom. We are only waiting for it to be finally revealed.

The signs have happened: This generation and this whole creation will pass away, but God’s kingdom, and Jesus’ words, will last forever. So, as Peter says, “you ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (2 Peter 3:11-12).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.