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

Luke 21:29-33

When we returned home this weekend we noticed the drop in temperatures, reminding us that Fall is upon us. The fact that we experience each of the four seasons here is one of the nice things about living in our part of the country, although a couple of weeks of winter is enough for me.

But the change of seasons tells us what is to come and so Jesus’ parable of the fig tree is timeless, isn’t it? But as with His other parables, the illustration points to a deeper spiritual truth. He is pointing to the expectation of the arrival of the kingdom of God. Earlier in this chapter He predicts –

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.”

Luke 21:10-12

Since I was very young I remember hearing sermons and listening to family members talk expectantly of the return of Christ. Today, we don’t hear as much, but as I read the headlines and observe the circumstances of life today, maybe we should be watching the fig trees around us.