Three striking lessons from Jesus
Introduction
We love to speak about the weather
We sometimes use this topic to change conversations
Jesus is coming to the end of a long discourse
First to the multitudes and second to the disciples
v54 onwards – turning to the multitudes
He brings up the subject of weather
They can discern the weather
However, they cannot discern the one subject that matters
He gives an illustration
People need forgiveness before they meet the great judge
Thought provoking teaching
v56 – He calls the people hypocrites
He wants them to face reality
A third striking lesson
The Jews were prone to judge people when calamity happens
Jesus speaks of the Galileans, those in the tower of Siloam – they were no different to anyone else
He tells a parable about a fig tree
There must be fruit in the Jewish nation
Overview
Don’t deliberately avoid what really matters
Remember to settle things quickly before you meet the judge
Don’t compare yourself/judge others and produce fruit
Do not deliberately avoid what really matters
As humans we are good at predicting things and outcomes
Examples
But do we apply the same rationale to things that really matter?
Spiritual things
Our soul
Jesus knew these people were more concerned with the peripheral matters of life
v54-55 – they could discern the weather
They were not able to discern the time of Jesus
They were not able to see that Jesus was the Messiah, the fulfiller of Old Testament prophecies
They willfully did not want to see it! – “Hypocrites”
Is this you this morning?
Are you ignoring the big issues of life?
Do not avoid the big matters in life
Do settle things quickly before you meet the judge
v57 – why do you not judge that which is right?
Can you not see what I am doing?
Why do you not judge aright?
Get right before you meet your maker v58-59
Explanation
Better to sort things out before they get worse
Better to be a peacemaker rather than hold a grudge
Better to settle accounts
You need to find pardon before you die – settle your debts before God
Jesus Christ came to pay the debt of sin and in forgiveness to wipe the slate clean
This is the only way you can meet the Judge of all the earth
Other teachings:
Be reconciled to others
Do not leave undone things in life – Example of Zacchaeus
Get right with God and then get right with others
If we have not found forgiveness then we will have to pay for our sin
Do not unfavourably judge others and produce fruit
Do not judge others
Jesus says the Galileans were not worse sinners than others
Have you fallen into the trap of judging others?
Thinking they are terribly wicked and reaping the results of their sin
Have you looked into your heart to see your own sin?
Judgment will come to all men when they die
Example of Job – he was not being judged for his sin
Example of the man born blind – he was not born blind because of sin
We need to be careful in saying that people are being judged by God
This was the mindset of the Jews at this time
Do we magnify the sins of others and minimise our own sin?
Do we understand our own sin?
Do we neglect the big issues of life?
Example
v6-9 – Parable of the fig tree
Jesus found no fruit in Jerusalem
If people do not produce fruit – they will be cut down in judgment
God is patient and longsuffering
Yet people are living on borrowed time
The fig tree has had 3 years – it will get 1 year, then time is up
If there is fruit then all is well, if not then it will be cut down
Quote from James and Corinthians – do not wait for tomorrow, come to Jesus today
Closing Remarks
Come to Jesus today
He gives these lessons because He cares
There is a welcome to all who come to Christ
Come to Christ today