That’ll Be The Day
Opening Prayer
Coming King, fix my heart on the reality of the day of Your return.
Read Luke 21:29–38
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[29] He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. [30] When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. [31] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. [32] “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. [33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. [34] “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. [35] For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. [36] Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” [37] Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, [38] and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What do we learn from the fig tree?Jesus urges his followers to understand the times in which they are living, and he tells a story about a fig tree. When the tree is in flower, it is a sign that the seasons are changing. Likewise we need to know that the signs referred to by Jesus indicate the imminence of God’s kingdom. Again he warns us not to let our hearts get weighed down by the heartaches of life, or “that day” will consume us. “That day”: two simple words bearing the weight of prophetic significance. It’s a short phrase used by Old Testament prophets to refer to a future and dramatic intervention by God himself (i.e., Isa. 4:2; 11:10,11; Joel 3:18). A day is coming when it will not be business as usual; when everything will change forevermore. Jesus is here placing himself in the same prophetic tradition and calling us to live on the basis of what God has yet to do, at a time unknown to us. It will be a day like no other.
Apply
Take out a journal or a piece of paper and write out your biblical understanding of “that day.”
Closing prayer
Father in heaven, help me to look forward to that day when Jesus will come again, so that I will make every day matter.
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