Today's Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 21 verses 29 through 36:
29 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly,35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be 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.’
The kingdom of God cannot be hastened, rushed, or pulled into our presence. It has come and is always coming, but it's arrival is always like a thief in the night. We do not know when it will all happen in our lives; so the most we can do is be ready and be present in the moment we are in.
Jesus said the leaves of the fig tree tell us summer is upon us. It's arrival is a surprise. "I can't believe it's already summer again," we say.
The kingdom of God is like that, Jesus says. Without the shooting of a starter pistol or the ringing of a bell, here it is out of nowhere. A small child asks us, "Where is God?" A young person asks where we think his dad is now. An old woman in a nursing home asks us to help comb her hair.
There it is, upon us, without any warning. And when we see these things we know that the kingdom of God is near. Here and now. Today. A total surprise.
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