JESUS TEACHES HOW TO BE READY

Passage: Luke 21:29-38

Key verse: 33

NIV

29 He told them this 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 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God(A) is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation(B) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(C)

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,(D) and that day will close on you suddenly(E) like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray(F) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple,(G) and each evening he went out(H) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,(I) 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.(J)

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ESV

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see (A)for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 (B)Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 (C)Heaven and earth will pass away, but (D)my words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

34 “But watch yourselves (E)lest (F)your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and (G)cares of this life, and (H)that day come upon you suddenly (I)like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But (J)stay awake at all times, (K)praying that you may (L)have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and (M)to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 And (N)every day he was teaching in the temple, but (O)at night he went out and lodged on (P)the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning (Q)all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Learning from fig trees (29-33)

Many of the signs of Jesus' coming happen in every generation, just as the trees bloom every spring. This is because every generation must get ready to meet Jesus. We may not be able to predict the date of Jesus' coming, but we can take changes in this world as reminders that the Kingdom of God is near. In a world where everything seems to be changing, we can root our lives in Jesus' word.

2. Don't get weighed down (34-38)

If we let ourselves become too absorbed with the worries, business, and pleasures of this world, we will not be ready for Jesus' coming. These things weigh down our hearts like spiritual concrete. Jesus told us to adopt an attitude of spiritual watchfulness and prayerfulness. Then we will be able to stand before Jesus without shame. Jesus spent his last week on earth teaching the word of God in the daytime and praying at night.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us your words as the foundation of life in a changeable world. Please teach me watchfulness.

One Word: Be watchful, not weighed down