It is interesting to me that if we aren’t careful; we focus solely on what is going on around us, what is going on in this world. What’s interesting to me is that as I have come to be in relationship with Jesus, as I have come to commune daily with God, there is SO MUCH MORE than this temporal world we live in. How beautiful is that!
Mark 13:28-31 (TNIV)
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
In Jesus day, as well as today, the world seems so tangible and permanent. Indeed, so many believe and have been taught, that the world will end in some great disaster caused by a nuclear war or some environmental calamity.
The truth is, as Jesus has told us that the earth will not be destroyed but will be transformed. Interestingly enough, the Greek word that Jesus uses and that is translated as “pass away” in verse 31 is “parerchomai” [par-er-khom-ahee] which means also, “to move forward” and to “come forth”. I believe that what Jesus is saying is that although these great things will happen, and it may seem like the world is ending….it will be transformed. But one thing that won’t change…….is God, because God indeed is the “word”. The wisdom of Jesus, indeed, Jesus Himself……..will never change.
Additionally, in verse 30, Jesus uses the word, “genea” [ghen-eh-ah] which is translated as “generation”. We often think of a generation as people who are living at this time. However, the Greek word “genea” has a fuller meaning “people of the same stock” as well as, “an indefinite period of time, but in close relationship to human existence, not just those living at that time.”
God and His Word provide a stability that is unequaled in this world that we live in. Jesus provides stability in an unstable world. Jesus provides stability in our lives when often we find ourselves in unstable circumstances.
There is so much more than simply this temporal world. What Jesus wants us to focus on is more than just “this” world…..He wants us to live in the kingdom of heaven, which encompasses this world as well as a spiritual realm that extends into eternity.
While many are focusing on the temporary world and the accumulation of possessions, and indeed, neglect the teachings and the eternal truth of Jesus, they actually are going to miss that fact that there is sooooooooo much more!
As they seek to be first they will find themselves last……while we that seek Jesus first will never be last. We share the promise of a glorious eternity. There is so much more……..