12:54–56 Jesus’ address now shifts from the disciples to the crowd. The theme of the end times continues, however. People are able to recognize changes in the weather (rain from west, that is, the Mediterranean Sea; heat from the south, that is, the Negev Desert), but as hypocrites they are oblivious to the meaning of this present time. Discerning the weather may pose no problem, but they are completely undiscerning when it comes to recognizing that God has made salvation possible through Jesus. To receive Jesus means salvation, but to reject him means …