Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 21 : 29-33 "THE USE OF PARABLES AS A TEACHING TOOL"
Day 271 – Luke 21
Text: Luke 21 : 29-33
THE USE OF PARABLES AS A TEACHING TOOL
Once again, Jesus resorted to using parables to teach. Whenever Jesus uses a parable, we must take note of the following:-
1. The chances are that the audience would not or did not fully understand (Cf. Matthew 3:11-15)
a.The subject matter is beyond the understanding of the audience.
b.There is some resistance from the audience concerning the subject matter.
2. There is a purposeful withholding of understanding (Cf. Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:11-15)
a.The people continue to be obdurate.
b.Divine sanction against those who continue to reject God’s Word.
3. A special endeavour on the part of the Lord Jesus to teach
a.To simplify the subject matter.
b.To enable the listeners to remember what has been taught.
THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE
There is no doubt that this particular set of lessons taught by the Lord Jesus was hard. However, it was not impossible to understand what He said, if one pays attention to what He said. Let us take time to recall what Jesus had taught on an earlier occasion,
“Therefore take heed how you hear;
For whoever has, to him more will be given;
And whoever does not have,
Even what he seems to have
Will be taken from him.”
Luke 8:18
Was the problem only the question of a lack of understanding? Could the problem be deeper? Was the problem not unbelief?
Jesus knew their hearts only too well. He had decried the stubborn sinfulness of Jerusalem time and again. Nevertheless, the subject matter was so important that He just must try to impress upon His hearers the significance and the reality of His teaching on eschatology.
“Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
When they are already budding,
You see and know for yourselves
That summer is now near.”
Luke 21:29-30
Jesus used a powerful mnemonic device to help His audience to recall what He had taught. They may not be able to remember everything that Jesus had said, but they must at least believe what He had said.
There are some lessons that one cannot but remember. The terrifying details that Jesus spoke concerning the Destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, the adverse conditions in the End Times… these were not lessons that could be forgotten easily! Nevertheless, the sinful human heart is capable of forgetting even the most important of lessons! The use of a parable can function as a powerful mnemonic device that could trigger off a chain reaction. The memory could be jogged to recall important lessons!
“So you also, when you see these things happening,
know that the kingdom of God is near.”
Luke 21:31
It was still not too late to respond to the invitation to enter into the Kingdom of God. There must have been many who still hovered outside the kingdom of God.
Jesus had preached on this theme, “The Kingdom of God is near” again and again. Once again, He spoke on this theme. The hard lessons on eschatology were not unrelated to the doctrine of the kingdom of God! The sobering lessons on the end times must challenge the heart to consider entering into the kingdom of God. What would it take for a person to understand the importance of receiving Christ’s invitation to enter into the safety of His kingdom?
The lesson of the Parable of the Fig Tree was simple and straightforward. When the fig tree began to bud, and when the other trees begin to bud, then they must attempt to remember what Jesus had said!
THE CERTAINTY OF FULFILMENT
Jesus had always taught with a tremendous sense of authority (Luke 4:32). As we read these words, we understand what it means to hear a person teach with authority.
“Assuredly, I say to you,
this generation will by no means
pass away till all things take place.”
Luke 21:32
Authority involves certainty of fulfillment. The words of Jesus carried tremendous weight simply because they were not just deep and insightful. The words of Jesus were authoritative because they would be fulfilled in due time.
THE ETERNAL NATURE OF JESUS’ WORDS
Jesus Himself placed the highest value on the words that He spoke. Few words could be clearer than these, concerning the eternal nature of His words,
“Heaven and earth will pass away,
But my words will be no means pass away.”
Luke 21:33
How are we paying attention to the Word of God?