I've never really understood the fascination that some Christians have with figuring out when "the end" comes. Longing for God's Kingdom I get, but trying to find a formula that will accurately predict the timing; I just don't see the point. And my take on today's reading from Luke is that Jesus wants to dissuade speculation about "the end." In both Matthew's and Mark's gospels, Jesus says that even he does not know the time. But in those gospels, and in Luke, Jesus does talk about what "the end" looks like. And in today's reading he says, "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."I take Jesus to mean that although we do not know when the Kingdom will arrive, its arrival will be obvious, as clear as the signs of spring. And our call as followers of Jesus is not to figure out the timing, but to live by the ways of the Kingdom now. Our energies will be much better spent praying for strength to do God's will when the "worries of this life" tempt us to forget our callings.
I suppose that this gets to the heart of what it means to be a Christian and, more particularly, to live a Christian life. If the alertness Jesus commands is not about anticipating the moment, then what does it mean for us to live as those who are prepared for the day of the Lord?
Lord, give us strength to live each day in ways to declare your coming Kingdom.
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