We can learn a lesson from a fig tree.

We can learn a lesson from a fig tree. 

When I was a little bloke years ago, we lived at a place called Hamilton in New South Wales, Australia. Near where we lived, there was Gregson Park, and all around its borders were huge fig trees. They were everywhere. Dropping their leaves and figs all the time. We all had fun as kids, chucking figs at our friends and sticking them down the backs of people's T-shirts.

Oh! nice. How friendly we were (not).

In the Bible, in Matthew 24:32-35, Jesus was telling his disciples another parable or story as they are known today, and I quote:-

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

I guess we can really learn a lesson from a fig tree. They lose their leaves every year, and back in Judea, where Jesus was, when they started losing their leaves, it was a sign that the harvest was almost upon the workers. 

Jesus was telling his disciples this parable about the fig tree because just before this, he and his disciples were in the temple, and the disciples watched in amazement as Jesus saw that the place was filled with money changers and all sorts of people.

Jesus threw all the money changers out of the temple, saying that this is a place of God, not a place of scoundrels and money lenders. Then he told his disciples about the fig tree and the lessons we can learn from it. And then approximately five days later, Jesus was arrested and sent to trial because the Pharisees and Sadducees were totally afraid of what Jesus was saying and doing.

When he told his disciples about the fig tree, he was actually predicting that things were about to change, especially for them. He knew in his heart he was about to be crucified and pay the price for all of our sins, and also for speaking out.

Jesus actually paid for our sins, and that is exactly what he was trying to get through to all of us when he talked about the fig tree and how it changes from month to month, and how we, too, change.

So, what are your thoughts about Jesus? Do you have any idea what he did at all? Who is Jesus?

Jesus actually knows us all - he knows where we are and what we do. Did you have any idea about that? I know I didn't for ages. I always thought he was a distant sort of body.

Jesus knows us all, and He actually knows our thoughts and our lives. You know you can't pretend in your life with Jesus as you can with other people. He knows everything about all of us.

Jesus always spoke the truth. If you don't know him at all, who is he to you?

He actually knows us all, and he knows our hearts and thoughts and everything that we think and do. In the Bible, in John chapter 2 and verses 24-25, he knew all of us. Jesus knew what was going to happen to him that he would die so ghastly on that cross, and he knew all of the thoughts of those who would bring him to his death.

Jesus died for you, and he died for me, and he is alive, he rose again, and he knows our thoughts and our hearts.

God is a miracle-working God. I know he is because I came to Christ and asked him into my life, and he has changed me. Something I never ever thought would happen. I was so in the world sort of person, and my whole world revolved around me; there was absolutely no room for Jesus at all. Then he worked a miracle in my life and brought me to my knees, and he came into my life.

He can and will do the same for you, but only if you ask him to lead you in everything you do.

My daughter and I do house cleaning. We do that and run a business because my son-in-law is totally incapacitated. He is a plumber and was so used to running his own business until he got cancer, and it was then that his wife, my daughter, and I opened up a new business, and we clean homes each week to help pay the normal day-to-day expenses for their family.

Most of the people that we clean for are really amazing and really nice people. There is at least one, however, who reminds me so much of what is written in Matthew 19 about the Rich and the Kingdom of God.

If you read about what happened when a rich young man came and asked Jesus 'What must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus quoted back at him pretty much the ten commandments, and the young guy said: All of these I have kept - what do I lack?"

Jesus then shocked him and said, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come follow me."

The guy got a shock and went away sad because he had heaps of treasure.

Jesus then said to the disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

Our very rich clients have really put us down a lot. I was pondering why they would do that, and then it came to me that they really don't want to mix with lower types of people. It brought home to me what Jesus said to the Rich Young Ruler (as above).

It is really going to be hard for very rich and influential people to enter heaven. Why I ask? Because they put their riches and influences way above others, as my daughter and I actually see firsthand with this amazing family that we clean for.

That certainly doesn't mean that every single rich person or family won't be able to come to Christ, but what it does mean is that all the riches, homes, boats, cars, and whatever really do need to take a much lower place on life's scale if Jesus becomes your Leader and Saviour.

Jesus really does need to be number one in your life. You need to be able to communicate with him constantly and always be prepared to give him priority over everything else.

Jesus gave his life for you and me. The fig tree parable is so apt because it tells us that when we come to Jesus, we change, like the fig tree, and Jesus also gives us the courage to welcome change. Sometimes the change can be completely out of left field and often unexpected by us.

Giving our entire lives over to Christ can be awkward and so different. Our lives may change dramatically or hardly at all. But given the way our lives are controlled by our Heavenly Father, we are so destined to spend our lives with him for eternity.

Yes, it is hard for rich people to come into the kingdom of God, because they are so used to getting their own way in life, running their own lives, and achieving everything they have ever wanted. 

Regardless of how rich you are or whether, like us, you plod along through life, the main thing you have to do is give your life to Jesus. Ask him to lead your life and take priority. Make him number one and give him the number one place in your life in every situation in which you find yourself.

Maybe hard, maybe not, but the reward at the end of your life and the total love you find in Jesus as you follow him is astounding and so very real. You will never want to go back to how you were before making the decision to come to Christ and making him the ruler of your life.

God bless you this week. Hope to see you next time.