The role of trees in the Bible – Day 6
The fig tree (part 2) — be alert!
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
NgokukaMarku 13
Just as the fig tree reminds us that summer is coming, so Jesus reminded his disciples (and us) he would come again. The early Church, however, was expecting Jesus to return within their lifetime.
This passage in Mark assured them, and us, that no one knows the specific date of his return. In 2011 Harold Camping predicted Christ’s second coming for 21 May — of course, it didn’t happen. Many, many people have attempted to determine when Christ will return, and they have all been wrong.
The historians tell us that the early saints used to greet one another with these words, “He is risen,” and upon parting they would say, “The Lord is coming.” By doing this they constantly encouraged one another in the faith and constantly reminded one another of their salvation in Christ and the certainty of his return. When we see the trees around us start to blossom, we’re encouraged because we know that summer is almost here and the cold, dark winter is nearly over. We know that Jesus will come again — so let’s encourage one another today as we look forward to the day when Christ will return and make all things new, just like that fig tree.
