In this study of the Parables of Jesus, we are reading many of the stories Jesus used to teach hearers about how to live as His followers. Each day we’ll read parables in their immediate context, focusing on a different category of parables each week. Then we will work through a series of questions to understand the meaning of the text and take to heart the “secrets of the kingdom.”
Editor’s Note: In this Parables study, Jesus Himself is telling us stories—stories He wants us to reflect on and process. Rather than asking our writers to write their own stories about Jesus’ stories, we thought it would serve you and the text better to provide questions to help you dig into the meaning of each day’s parable. If you find a parable or passage particularly confusing, stop and pray. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you in His Word, and thank Him that we can know Him without knowing all the answers to our questions.
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Week 3: Parables about following Jesus
Many of the parables Jesus told have to do with what it means to follow Him in this life. Addressing topics from anxiety and fear, to compassion for our neighbors and commitment to the truth, Jesus uses common scenarios and familiar places to teach His disciples how to live as His people. Each parable in this week’s daily readings speaks to the Christian life in some way. Use the questions below to help you dig deeper into Jesus’ teaching.
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Day 16 Reading: Luke 21:5-36
Questions:
1. Today’s reading focuses on what is permanent and what is fading away. What are some things you think of as permanent? Are they?
2. What does the parable of the fig tree have to do with the verse that comes before it in today’s reading?
3. What is the central point of this parable?
4. What is your response to this parable?
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43 thoughts on "The Fig Tree"
As I interact with the people and things in my life I like to think some of these things are permanent. I grasp on to friendships, family, places, and routines, not wanting them to slip through my fingers or drift beyond my reach. But, in the end none of these things are actually permanent and each of these things are gifts God had chosen to bless me with. None of it was ever really mine to gain or cling to, it was given to me by the One Creator who has rights to everything. I want to learn how to gracefully and joyfully accept both God’s giving and taking away. The root problem I whether I really trust that my Good is good and has the best for in mind as He gives and takes.
I will praise God that while everything around me currently is temporary, I know that He is returning to take us home where all is permanent. I need to pull my focus off of everything that distracts me here and be watching for the evidences of my coming God.
Thank you for sharing this, Erica. I do the same thing and I want to learn how to live with open hands – recognizing that it’s all His. I don’t want to take His blessings for granted but I also don’t want to hold onto them so tightly or raise them up to where they become idols.
He is so faithful and patient with me!
Well said. The last two years have been a season of God taking away in spades yet what He has given back (I see in hindsight) surpasses what He has taken away in ways no words can adequately express. Open hands and an open heart are what I must have to fully trust God’s permanent plan for me.
Thanks for sharing this Erica. This is super convicting to me this morning. When the question of permanence was asked I immediately reflex answered God, His promoters, salvation, etc. But what I didn’t challenge myself to think of is what are the things that I *treat* like they’re permanent. Your response really challenged me to think on that. “I grasp on to friendships, family, places, and routines, not wanting them to slip through my fingers or drift beyond my reach.” Those words could have come straight from my heart. It is hard for me to place the people I love and the things that bring me security into God’s hands and trust His decisions to give and take away. Thanks for the challenge to focus on God and His work rather than these other things.
I will be praying that we can both learn to receive with open hands for God to do with as He will. I’ve been really struggling lately with giving up a friendship. I felt like God had placed this person in my life and we had developed a really good friendship, but then after expressing some things this friend has almost completely shut me out of their life in the past 2 months. I want to blame God and ask why He had to give me a taste of such a great friend for it to all just end in me feeling rejected. But I am trying so hard to remember that the friendship was a gift from God in the first place and I shouldn’t cling so tightly to it. I pray reconciliation will happen eventually but until then I pray. So, for all of us struggling with holding on too tight, I pray that we learn to unclench our fists!
Oh friend, I am so sorry to hear that. Having someone you care deeply for pull away is so so painful. Feeling like God has brought you the gift of friendship and then having that removed is even more tough. I can definitely empathize. I am praying for you and for your friend. Praying, like you, that reconciliation is on the horizon. Praying also for you to experience peace through this situation even though it is causing you pain and distress. God loves you. God loves your friend. We don’t know what will happen but we know that you are in His hand no matter what. It just brought to mind 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Praying that you and I both can cast our anxiety on Him with the promise that He cares for us deeply. Thanks again for sharing today :)
*I meant God and his promises not promoters
A lot of bad things are going to happen as the end draws near. There will be wars, earthquakes, famine, plagues, natural disasters, arrests and persecution of Christians. Yet Jesus tells us not to be afraid : “This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.” He tells us not to even stress ahead of time about how we will defend ourselves. He will give us the words and the wisdom for the moment. We will be betrayed, hated and some of us will even be killed. BUT not one of us will be lost. Dear sisters, we are in the end times even now but we need not fear. He has spoken these words of Truth to strengthen and comfort us. And yes to encourage us. I’m grateful He cares so much. I’m grateful He gives eternal life.
I just love that He reminds us “Stand firm & you will win life”. In the midst of all the terror and destruction that will come, take heart & we too will overcome this world as He did.
Oh Lord give us faith to stand firm in the midst of these trying times that we “may be able to stand before the Son of Man”
The only thing permanent is God’s promises. All else is fleeting. The ground under our feet, the sky above us, the bodies we live in – none of these will be here in heaven. The parable of the fig tree and the paragraph before it detail the warning signs of the end of the world and coming of Jesus. We are reminded to stay watchful and vigilant because this hour could come at any time. Kind of like that saying, “Do you want to be doing that when Jesus comes back?” In all seriousness, that is a question we should be asking ourselves constantly.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
This verse came quickly to mind as I read v28.”Straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”
He is never changing, constant, the Creator and Sustainer of all life; in whom I trust. ❤️
❤️
So good
This verse stuck out for me too.
I think often the things that I think of that are permanent are all the things that will quickly pass away, because they are things. The one thing that will always remain is the Father. May I not grow complacent as I wait for His return, but rather awake and alert seeking the kingdom.
I find it interesting that a sign that the Son of God is getting ready to return is compared to when the fig tree begins to sprout leaves. Spring, when the trees begin to bud, is a time of the beginning of new life. The signs of the end times seem like a dark and disturbing time with wars, earthquakes, famines, etc. I like that the return of Jesus is compared to signs of new life in a fig tree. I probably would have said that when you see the fig tree losing its leaves then look for God’s return. Yet, Jesus in His infinite hope and promise compares it to spring. I love that.
I love this! Thanks for the perspective.
Love this~ thank you!!!
Love this!
That thought never occurred to me. I love that and the hope it brings among text that sounds so dark and devastating. Thank you for your insight!
This is beautiful. Thank you.
So good!
I hadn’t thought of that! That’s a great image.
Also, the fig tree often can be seen as representative of Israel in the Bible, which is interesting to think about.
For all you Hunger Games fans out there, the whole end times/dandelion in the spring hope themes… ;)
I must admit I have always been confused by apocalyptic passages. I am a literal reader. So really all I am getting out of this is to stay vigilant about my faith in Christ – because for certain I will not be able to tell when the end is near! I have to believe and trust that is all God needs me to see this morning. I will re-read this later today and pray for deeper comprehension.
You know what Kay… I really think that IS the point.
Tania, thank you. That makes me feel a whole lot better! :)
Verse 34 is convicting this morning, as my mind gets distracted by the decorating I want to do in my house, gifts to buy, parties to plan. Holy Spirit, help me not be weighed down with the cares of this life. Help me remember it’s all passing away.
I felt the same way, Courtney!