SHARING BREAD
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As
soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is
near. 33 Even
so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
34 I
tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all
these things have happened. 35 Heaven
and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Matt
24:32-35 (NIV)
Jesus’ Words here bring to mind the Prophet Isaiah’s on the
sureness and certainty of God’s Word which never fails, enduring forever:
8 “The
grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah
40:8 (NIV)
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do
not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and
flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not
return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose
for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
(NIV)
The Word of Christ is more lasting and sure than the heavens
and the earth. In God’s time and in
God’s way – every Word will be fulfilled - perfectly. The uncertainty of the exact time of Christ’s
coming should make us more watchful, expectant and prepared not carelessly
wasting our lives merely delving into the satiety of the world and the flesh.
“The
way to disengage the heart from the love of one object is to fasten it in
positive love to another. It is not by
exposing the worthlessness of the former, but by addressing the worth and
excellence of the latter that all old things are to be done away and all things
are to become new. The only way to
dispossess the heart of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new
one. Thomas Chalmers
“If you keep in step with God, be
out of step with the world.” Anonymous
Christ’s Words are pure and sure. He tells us earlier in Matthew that He came
to fulfill all the Law. He fulfilled it
by obeying it perfectly as well as fulfilled the prophets’ predictions of the
coming Messiah and His kingdom therefore what remains predicted to come is a
surety:
17 “Do not think that I have come
to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
fulfill them. 18 I
tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter,
not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until
everything is accomplished.” Matt
5:17-18 (NIV)
In our verses for today, Jesus begins to apply what He had
been teaching by giving us a heads up to discerning our times. Our Lord states practical applications of His
previous predictions – we must both expect and prepare for the events He has foretold.
Just as we can be certain that summer is
not far away when the leaves come forth on the trees and its twigs become tender
so also we can be assured that when we see all these desolations fast
approaching – His coming is not far off.
Indeed, judgment is right at our door.
In view of this certain hope of Christ’s soon return believers are to
ready themselves. James warns us:
“The Judge
is standing at the door!” James 5:9
(NIV)
Peter adds his words as well regarding Christ’s coming
return in an effort to stimulate us towards wholesome thinking and holy living:
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last
days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?
Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning
of creation.” 5 But
they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and
the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was
deluged and destroyed. 7 By
the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept
for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With
the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentance. 10 But
the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a
roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in
it will be laid bare. 11 Since
everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its
coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and
the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But
in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new
earth, the home of righteousness. 2
Peter 3:3-13 (NIV)
“God has given
us a short time here upon earth, and yet upon this short time eternity
depends.” Jeremy Taylor
“Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be
lived in the light of eternity.” Charles H. Spurgeon
What I
glean from this:
· God’s Word
never fails – never returns empty but always accomplishes the purpose for which
it was sent. His Word endures forever.
· Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly as well as fulfilled
the predictions of the coming Messiah and His Kingdom by the prophets therefore
what remains predicted to come is a surety.
· I am to prepare
for eternity now.
