Devotional Thoughts for Today
Lk. 21:27-31 (NIV): “‘At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’ [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 is near. [32] Truly I tell you, this generation 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.’”
Some say that Jesus was wrong since he didn’t return in the first century even though “all these things” happened during “this generation.” This misunderstanding stems from what constitutes “the end of age,” which, according to end times Bible prophesy, likely began with the restoration of Israel in 1948. However, Peter, quoting Joel, proclaimed that the “last days” were inaugurated when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost: “In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people’” (Acts 2:17).
So, we’ve been living in the end of age since the first century. And Jesus certainly didn’t expect to return around then. Do you honestly believe that Jesus who said in the same discourse (Matt. 24), “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come,” expected that to happen within the lifetime of his listeners? He even added, “These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away” (Lk. 21:9).
A largely forgotten doctrine called the “imminent return of Christ” postulates that Jesus can return at any time. But once end-times prophecy became popular, it was believed that Jesus wouldn’t return until certain events took place beforehand. However, the fig tree sprouting its leaves (vv.29-30), an annual event, doesn’t refer to specific events that will happen during a specific period; rather, it points to wars and natural disasters that are always happening in every generation. And “these things” are to remind the people of every generation that Christ’s return is imminent; so be ready for it. One of these days, the last of these wars and disasters will precede Christ’s coming, but we aren’t to accentuate that; instead, we “ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of [the Lord]” (2 Pet. 3:12).
A few years after Buster Douglass knocked out Mike Tyson, his weight ballooned to 400 pounds. It isn’t uncommon for professional athletes to experience substantial weight gain during the off-season or after retiring. But for us, there is no off-season or retiring because “by standing firm you will gain life” (Lk. 21:19).
Prayer
God, help me to hear the internal clock in my heart that tells me what time this should be in my life. While I may need to take care of many earthly things at the moment, remind me that “now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2), which tells me that I need to always share the good news. Help me, Lord. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 63
Lunch Break Study
Read 1 Chron. 12:32 (ESV): “Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.”
1 Sam 11:1-4 (NIV): “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. [2] One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, [3] and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ [4] Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home.”
Hag. 1:4 (ESV): “‘Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?’ [5] Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways. [6] You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.’”
Question to Consider
- What do you think 1 Chronicles 12:32 (“understanding of the times”) means?
- Do you think David and the Israelites who received the letter from Haggai had the understanding of their times? What went wrong for them?
- Looking at the “fig tree” in your life, what time is it for you? (You may consult the list in Eccles. 3:18.)
Notes
- Understanding of the times is always connected to something that ought to be done at that moment. While the Chronicler doesn’t provide more details, it appears that this involved some type of military campaign in which timing was everything. Folks, “seize the moment” (carpe diem)!
- In the spring, kings would go off to wars; David didn’t. Instead, he was where he wasn’t supposed to be and this led to his great demise. Likewise, for the people to whom Haggai wrote, it was their time to rebuild the Lord’s temple, but they were too busy enlarging their own homes. This sort of thing doesn’t go unnoticed by God who is displeased when He is not our top priority.
- While my wife and I foresee returning to the mission field in the future, for now, we see ourselves being faithful to the AMI ministry, as well as praying for opportunities to serve the Hispanics in America. God has already opened one door this year, in Fresno, California. ¡Gloria a Dios!
Evening Reflection
A mom asked her young son why he threw the clock out the window. His answer: “Since you always say, ‘Time flies,’ I wanted to see it for myself.” As we get older, we can see that time flies very quickly. How did you spend your time today? It’s not too late to make this day count: spend this moment talking to the infinite and personal God of this universe who loves you very much.
Matt. 25:1-13 (NIV): “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. [2] Five of them were foolish and five were wise. [3] The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. [4] The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. [5] The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. [6] At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ [7] Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. [8] The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ [9] ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ [10] But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. [11] Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ [12] But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ [13] Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
This parable, about the ancient Jewish wedding day, has the bridegroom arrive at the house of his bride’s father at midnight for the ceremony. Upon his sudden arrival, the door is closed and the late comers aren’t admitted. Afterwards, the husband would take his wife home in a wedding procession, and then celebrate the banquet that lasts for a week. Since the procession typically occurs in darkness, the guests would bring lamps to light the way; and those without it are prohibited to be on the street.
When my basset hound thinks it’s time to walk, she whimpers without ceasing. This annoys me a lot when I am busy, but I still walk her so that she won’t bother me with her persistent whimpering. And once we’re out, I make sure she has a good walk.
Keep this in mind before praying: “If you remain in [Christ] and [his] words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (Jn. 15:7). Those abiding in Christ won’t ask for things that contradict God’s general will revealed in the Scripture. In Mexico where Catholicism reigns, it isn’t uncommon for drug cartels to demand that a priest bless them. God will never answer prayers that go contrary to His general will; some may experience what may look like an answered prayer, but God has nothing to do with it.
I was stunned to hear that the leaders of Mars Hill Church—a mega congregation founded by Mark Driscoll—decided to cease its operation in response to highly publicized revelations about Driscoll’s questionable conduct. Among other things, Driscoll had the church pay a large sum of money to a marketing firm, so that it can make a bulk order of his book on marriage, to make it appear that thousands of purchases were made in a given week. The strategy worked as the book reached the top of the New York Times Best Seller List in “hardcover, advice, and misc” rankings. But in the following week, his book disappeared from the top 15 list; evidently the hype didn’t translate to more book sales. And, it turns out that this manipulative ploy has been used by other well-known pastors— they probably feel embarrassed seeing their name next to Driscoll, who, since, has admitted to the wrongfulness of this practice.
I experienced this in a weird manner. I don’t own a fancy phone because I don’t need it since I work mostly at home (when not travelling). But I do own a $10 cell phone which I use when I really need it. But once, when I was calling my wife to pick me up at the airport, I felt sort of self-conscious about using this low-tech phone, since everyone around me was using a Smartphone; but, I said to myself, “I need to be real; besides, Jesus thinks I am okay.”
Many years ago, I returned home to Virginia from California to work so I can save money for my seminary education; that included helping out at my father’s business. One day, I saw a customer fuming with anger, leaving the store, and discovered later that my dad had yelled at him for walking on mopped floor. So, I asked my dad, “Why do you always get mad at customers?” Not liking my attitude, he said something that really upset me; so for the next five weeks, I didn’t speak to him
In the parable, Jesus has the master cancel the unpayable debt owed to him by his servant. But when that same servant refuses to be merciful toward his fellow servant who owes so much less, the master becomes furious and punishes his servant. Now, the master represents God; the unpayable debt is the “wages of sin,” which is, “death” (Rom. 6:23); the act of cancelling it is Christ’s death that “takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29). The servant with the cancelled debt represents us whose good works can never atone for our sins against God and fellow men. The fellow servant, whose miniscule debt isn’t forgiven by his coworker, represents my father whose sin I wouldn’t forgive because I was being ungrateful to God who forgave me of much greater debt.
The principal of the missionary school that my children attended in Mexico would walk around with a ruler to measure the lengths of skirts worn by some girls to ensure that it fell within the school regulations. Maybe to some, only “bad girls” would wear a short skirt.
This parable is easy to interpret because Jesus himself interprets it: “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, [22] deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.” (Mk. 7:20-2 NASB).
Then, what went wrong? It was a case of an unfulfilled expectation. After Jesus had been crucified, a disillusioned Israelite said, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Lk. 24:21), meaning to defeat the Romans and then restore the world order with Israel on top (Is. 14:2). But, instead of plotting to defeat the enemy, they heard Jesus talk about “Bread from heaven.” “At this the Jews began to grumble” (Jn. 6:41), became offended (61), and finally, “many . . . turned back and no longer followed him” (66), presumably to look for another king who will do their bidding. That’s how the subjects ended up rejecting their king; and the tenants, the son.
Recall that both the servant with a single talent and the other with one mina did nothing with it, even though they were told to put it to work, on account that their masters were unreasonable and unjust. Peeking into the vanity of the human nature, the servant with the one talent probably pouted over the fact that others received more: “Since you don’t think much of my ability, I will do nothing.” What he forgot is that when God judges our works, it isn’t based on how much we have gained; but rather, how much we have gained in proportion to how much we have been given.
The seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were really impressed with Paul when he drove out evil spirits. So, upon seeing a “man who had the evil spirit” (Acts 19:15), they said, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out” (13). The evil spirit, instead of coming out, retorted, “’Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit . . . . gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding” (15-6). What happened? Without being fully trained and presuming their vision to be 20/20, Sceva’s sons tried to lead a “blind man”; the result was disastrous.
Many of us want to take on a bigger assignment from God, but consider the events in Paul’s life. Soon after his conversion, Paul became aware that he was God’s “chosen instrument to carry [His] name before the Gentiles and their kings” (9:15). Being a competitive and zealous person (Gal. 1:14), Paul might’ve thought that this international ministry was going to start right away. But God had other plans: Paul spent the next three years mostly in Arabia (17) where God trained him for ministry in isolation from everyone. Then he went to Jerusalem where he spoke “boldly in the name of the Lord” (Acts 9:29), but the Jews there “tried to kill him” (29). So, the church leaders had him return home to Tarsus (350 miles) and stay there until the situation calmed down. But, by the time Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Paul and bring him to Antioch (11:25-6), which, in time, would launch his international ministry, he had waited 8 years in anonymity. During those years, instead of looking ahead for his big break, Paul was training hard while no one was looking; he was learning to be “faithful with a few things” (Matt. 25:23).