Articles
Reading the Signs
The days are definitely getting shorter. We’re past the summer solstice, and fall isn’t far off at all. Not a moment too soon either, because my air conditioning could use a break. We can look forward to cooler weather, waning light, and the smell of fireplace and harvest spices.
As humans, we are really good at being able to unconsciously take in our surroundings and know what to expect. However long we’ve lived, we’ve seen the patterns, and we can read the signs around us. This means we aren’t surprised when the weather changes and we have time to prepare.
Jesus used this ability we all have to make some very pointed remarks about our responsibilities. Because we can make judgments based on the signs we see, then we can prepare in time and be ready. Being prepared means we can be more effective stewards of our resources and time.
The Pharisees, who had ample opportunity to see Jesus perform signs, asked for more “proof” that Jesus was an authorized speaker from God. However, Jesus countered that they had many signs already. “When it is evening, you say, ‘[It will be] fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘[There will be] a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?’” (Matthew 16:1-4) Jesus made the application that the only “sign” they would see would be the “sign of Jonah.” This related to His three days in the tomb, but also the fact that Jonah preached impending destruction in judgment on Nineveh. We must never assume that God’s judgment is always far away, but always be ready to repent.
Similarly, Jesus used the change in plants to the same effect. “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24:32-39) This statement was made to people who would witness the destruction of Jerusalem and see Jesus’ servants vindicated as He began to reign as the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14). We must always believe that God judges in favor of His righteous servants and be prepared for those times, even if it is a disruption of our comfortable lives.
The apostles, who were focused on the temporary, were chided by Jesus for ignoring the signs of the harvest. “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” (John 4:34-36) If we aren’t looking, we might miss out on opportunities to speak to those who are ready for the gospel. We must never assume that our opportunities are forever in the future, because we will miss the ones right before us.
