ADVENT WEEK ONE: HOPE
December 3 F. Douglas Powe Jr., PhD
Luke 21:29-31
Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can
see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. Luke 21:29-30
Most of us have watched some version of a crime or court drama to know
that so much hinges on evidence. What is the evidence you have that my cli-
ent was at the scene of the crime? We are focused on the evidence because
it provides something tangible for us to hang our hats on when we have ques-
tions.
Another way to put it, we believe evidence can give us a degree of certainty
that without it does not exist. In this text, Jesus uses the fig tree as an exam-
ple of something tangible we can hang our hats on as evidence.
The evidence of summer coming is that the fig tree is sprouting leaves. When
the leaves start sprouting it is a sign that summer is around the corner. We
may not say it out loud, but we are often looking for evidence for the things
in which we hope. We want a tangible sign like the sprouting leaves to let us
know that it is around the corner.
Here is the thing, around the corner does not mean immediate. Jesus is
talking about the sprouting fig leaves being evidence for the reign of God be-
ing near. While it is true that the reign of God is present now, it has not been
fully realized. The evidence indicates God’s reign is among us yet it may not
be fully realized for a while.
Evidence is helpful in giving us something tangible to hold on to as we wait.
We should not mistake evidence as a sign of something happening immedi-
ately. We should take it as a sign that even as a fig tree sprouts leaves, it will
take a while for full leafing.
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