Where does this Scripture leave us? Jesus compares the fig tree with the Day of Judgment. The fig tree’s leaves, sun s darkening, the moon giving no light, and the stars falling -- all are signs of the final day of the Lord. Then it is that the Son of man comes in clouds with great power and glory, and he sends out angels to gather in the elect. Many denominations spend a great deal of energy trying to figure out, “Is it the time yet?” Intense diligence goes into collating Scripture with wars and natural calamities to determine whether, at last, the Day of the Lord is at hand. Much attention is given to prophecy as it pertains to Armageddon.
Jesus, despite the passions excited by such questions,clearly states, “...no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This, however, has never stopped the single-minded efforts of some churches to predict the exact time of the Day of Judgment. The end of the world seems of greater importance than the saving of it.
“Since every day things go from bad to worse, it is clear that the end of the world is at hand.” This inscription can be read at Poitiers on the tomb of the Abbott Mellebaude, who died in the seventh century. Like so many contemporaries, Mellebaude was struck by the misfortunes of his time. And, like them, he saw in these evils the imminent arrival of the end of the world! Penn & Forni, The Barbaric Invasion of Europe (Morristown, NJ, Silver Burdett, 1987, p. 22)
This inscription was written 1300 years ago. Still people infer from bad times that the end of the world is near. There are always disasters and calamities. Yet, Jesus said, “...no one knows...but only the Father.” When we combine continued tenacious interest in the Day of Judgment with Jesus’ precise statement that no one can know, where does that leave us? In this text Jesus was more urgent in his actions than he had been previously. He was hungry and, in the time of his need, expected to be served by a tree that bore the sign of summer. Finding no fruit on it, he cursed it. This is a hard lesson for us to interpret. He showed an equal urgency when he sent disciples for an ass on which to ride into Jerusalem, “Just say to them that the Lord has need of it.” The implication is simple, so simple it is one we may not want to hear; but it is the kind of implication that goes from preaching to meddling. It is hidden from us in the most surprising way, like glasses on top of the head which defy discovery. The implication: Be ready. Readiness factors into: being prepared, waiting faithfully, producing fruit in the Lord’s work, and above all, watching, being aware of life around us. In the worst of times we are to be diligently obedient, doing the work God gives us to do. Since we are human in our needs, we may long for a grand, and thrilling, assignment. How can we feel that we are triumphant agents for the fulfillment of God’s history if we cannot work on the super-historical events? Instead, we are told simply to be there when the Lord needs us -- no excuses, no complaints.
A friend was visiting a mission station in Liberia. One day she arose early to shower before the others. As she began to shampoo her hair, to her surprise she found the water to be brown, and finally there was no water at all. As she tried to wash out the shampoo with the last few drops, she realized to her dismay that there was sand, the red soil of the region, in her hair. She asked her friend what had happened. The friend told her that there was a man in the station in charge of the two water tanks. When one emptied, his responsibility was to switch over to the other one. Often, though, he fell asleep, and what happened to my friend had happened to others. He did not watch. The simple analysis: “readiness” was missing. Like the fig tree with no figs for Jesus, this man promised, yet when it came time for service there was no water for people. What was he doing? Was he just lazy? Perhaps he was waiting for something very special to do -- a time when he could be really important. Why, that doesn’t make sense! He was needed each night by all who used the water. Where does that leave us?
Two points present themselves for our consideration. 1. God’s time, and 2. our watch. 1. God is in charge of the day that is to come. Certainly we are to trust him to manage his affairs. Once we have this point well in mind and heart, we are free for the second point: 2. Our watch! There will be a time when the Lord calls us dramatically and gives us our final instructions; but, till then, we his people go about doing his bidding on a daily routine basis. Our job is the answer: be ready. We are to be faithful in “switching tanks” that others may go about their jobs productively -- without sand in their hair. We are part of God’s saving plan for his world, even as we will be part of the fulfillment of his Story in the Day of Judgment. You may ask, “How in the world do we cause people to go with sand in their hair?” We would never consciously do that. Here are a few illustrations which are the emotional and functional equivalent of sand in the hair.
1. Poor workmanship. Have you ever called a plumber who quickly repaired the problem; yet, no sooner had he gone than the leak started again, only this time worse. I used a particular auto garage for years because it was the only one available. Every time I had my car serviced I had to take it back at least once. After one complaint session the service manager said, “This time you won’t have any problems, because we did an especially good job.” Well, when I got into the car I could not even get it out of the parking space. At least I did not have to take it back; I never got it away. Certainly such workmanship gives the customer a real feeling of sand in the hair. It did me.
2. Rudeness of clerks and public figures. In one community a postal clerk was so rude that people quit going to their own post office, preferring to drive five miles down the road to another. When we are in need of service we should not have to go away feeling that there must be something very inadequate about us. Certainly, sand in the hair!
3. Rebuffing others when they try to make up. Have you ever had the experience of feeling that someone is hurt at something you did? In an effort to make up you say, “I’m sorry for whatever I did that offended you. I’m not sure what it was; but, if you will tell me, I want to apologize.” The reply comes back testily, “Nothing! Nothing at all.” But the rejections go on and the relationship is not improved. That’s a heavy load of sand in the hair to carry around for weeks at a time.
4. Did you ever get provoked at a member of the family and shut them out of your affection? To teach them a lesson? Perhaps a child? When they try to be affectionate you turn them aside and go your way. You appear too busy to be bothered. You may think “I’m really teaching that youngster a lesson she won’t forget.” Your feelings are hurt, and you are determined to show her. The child goes through the day or the week in bitter distress, wearing in the soul a load of sand with no way to wash it out.
5. Failing to show up for a group responsibility, leaving it for the others to carry your load. Not only is this an extra burden to others, but it causes friction among the group. A sure case of having to wear sand in the hair indefinitely.
6. Laying the blame on others. “Yes, I may have done that, but if only you had...” The “if only you had” burdens people with a guilt they cannot touch, and leaves you with the upper hand. For sure, another wears a grungy hair-do.
7. Failing to do the little thing you can because you are unable to do the big deal you fantasize you should be doing. A brother refused to visit his sister in the hospital because it wasn’t important. He cried to his mother, “If only there was something I could do that would help make her well.” Unable to know the torturous meanderings of his mind, the sister lay in the hospital with sand in her hair.
People cause others to bear with a handful of sand by sapping vitality, lowering self-esteem, and reducing productivity -- subverting the things that make the world go a little better and hurry the cause of Christ on its way. The Lord’s Day comes when the Father wills. For those of us who are watching, signs fail. Even as the fig tree held out its sign, but failed to produce, so can we withhold our services. Where does that leave us?
We are left with a simple yet profound calling. We can keep our watch, being ready for whatever opportunities come for service in his name. The “sign” we give of our readiness to serve Jesus is honored by the deeds we do in his name. The result is devoted obedience to his cause. First, we can hold on to the promise that in his time God will bring about his Day. Then we leave that issue to him, because it is far beyond our control and not our concern. Secondly, we do our jobs, keep our relationships, and fulfill our responsibilities to friends, family, and neighbors -- all in the cause of Christ. By the exercise of our talents we make others comfortable and productive as they go about their days and their tasks in the cause of Christ. We enable them to do their best by doing ours, relieving them of unnecessary stress and provocation.
As we go about our days doing our tasks reliably and efficiently, others can also go about their days in the same manner. Thus, we who are called apart to be in Christ make ready for God’s great Day.