This Generation
Luke 21:29-36
What things took place in the generation Jesus spoke about?
Photo by Joana Abreu on Unsplash
Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." - Luke 21:29-36
Sometimes we take Jesus literally, and when we don't see evidence that what he prophesied came true when he said it would, we take him figuratively.
No wonder nonbelievers have trouble believing the Gospels.
When I hear a preacher say that there is truth and then there are facts, and those two things are not always in synch, I cringe.
If what Jesus is saying seems to contradict what history tells us really happened, why not just explain what Jesus was talking about?
The conversation started when the apostles admired the buildings in Jerusalem. Perhaps some had never seen them, which is an indicator of who Jesus chose to follow him and become his leaders of the faith.
We'll come back to that.
Jesus told them these buildings will be destroyed in their generation, and that came to pass when Jerusalem was invaded and the Temple destroyed.
What causes a problem for people is what Jesus says about the coming of the kingdom, which we interpret as the end of the world.
Yes, he says that the day will come when heaven and earth will pass away, but he also says something very interesting.
Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.
When the end comes, we will have the strength to escape destruction and stand before Jesus when He comes again.
So, what are we to do?
I think he is talking about two times of destruction here. The first, which is itself a sign for the Jews, is when the Temple is destroyed. Jesus is warning the followers that this sign will be the beginning of the time when everyone turns against them.
This period of destruction will not end until the world ceases to exist. We, in our generation, are living in this time of destruction. But the kingdom of God is near. We have strength through God's presence with us.
We Christians believe that strength comes from the Holy Spirit, the Advocate Jesus promised would live in us and with us during these times in His absence.
So, we can interpret this generation to be this time we are in, or we can interpret it as the generation that saw the destruction of the Temple. I prefer the latter, believing Jesus was warning us of the entire period of man's destruction toward man and God.
In God's name, we destroy one another.
It doesn't make sense, but we cannot avoid it. All we can do is pray that we have the strength to endure our mutual self-destruction.
Every generation looks at the world and says, this is it. This is the time we totally mess up.
One day, we will be right.
More to come...