The Current Generation: Mark 13:28-31

There will always be people of faith upon this world.  The number of people may grow and shrink.  The level of faith may be strong or weak.  Even still, there will always be people for whom a relationship with God has meaning upon this earth.  You are never alone.

Jesus turns again to the fig tree to teach another lesson.  When the fig tree sprouts leaves, we know summer is near.  People all over the world do the same thing.  We know the signs.  The days get longer.  Plants put out their light green leaves that slowly turn into a vibrant green as spring progresses.  Mosquitoes, flies, wasps, and bees are seen in greater numbers.

We know how to read signs, but don’t confuse reading signs with complete understanding.  We know summer is near; we don’t know when the last frost will take place.  We know summer is near; we don’t know how rainy the growing season will be.  We know summer is near; we don’t know the hottest day, the driest day, or how humid it will be.  We know summer comes; we cannot know what kind of summer it is until it happens.  There is a difference between reading signs to understand generalizations and knowing specific details.

Jesus says the current generation will not pass away until His words have taken place.  This is a great example of being careful in our reading.  Obviously, the people who were alive when Jesus walked the earth are long dead.  Was Jesus wrong?

It’s possible Jesus was speaking about the original comment that the temple stones would be torn down.  This does take place in 72 AD, and many of Jesus’ disciples were still alive to see it.  Jesus’ words about the stones were fulfilled.

It is also possible Jesus speaks about His followers in general.  In other words, there are two generations.  There is the generation before the cross, where God’s focus was on the Hebrew people specifically, and there is the generation after the cross, where’s God’s focus is upon the people of the whole world.  Jesus could be communicating to His disciples they are the fulfillment of God’s plan.  There is no alternate plan.  There isn’t going to be another Jesus who comes along and makes a new path to salvation.  Jesus’ way is it.  His followers are the ones who will take God’s Word to the world, they are the ones who will bear the brunt of the world’s persecution, and they are the ones who will be around to see Jesus’ return.

In this second understanding we realize a great promise.  In the promise where this generation will not pass away, the focus is often placed on the timing of the event.   The greater promise is the generation of faith will persist.  Whenever Jesus returns – whenever God calls an end to this world –  people of faith will still be present.  There will always be people of faith upon this world.