Mark 13:28-31 Fig Trees
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: April 3, 2018, Mark 13:28-31
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
(Revelation of God) “The branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves” is interesting. I had noticed this phenomena of the branches changing their look but had not had a way to describe it. Now, I can say that the branch becomes tender. Jesus noticed the world around Him. In order to draw lessons for His parables, He had to be a keen observer of the world that surrounded Him. His audience would have been aware of this same phenomena. If not, they would after He pointed it out.
(Application) I think a part of my problem, and the rest of the world for that matter, is that I am not very observant of my world. Unfortunately, it seems that many people are even less observant than myself. In addition, we let ourselves be distracted by so many worldly matters and entertainments that we no longer focus on creation and thus, the Creator. Even many of those who are worried about the environment, seem to post more pictures of the negative aspects of it than they appreciate the actual beauty that God has given us. However, I think that Satan wants to take us away from seeing the creations that would point us to God and have us focus on Satan-inspired creations, i.e. fakes and forgeries.
(Understanding the Text) Anyway, the lesson is that when we see the fig tree sprouting its leaves, we know that summer is near. In my area, the lesson would be that when I see the tree branches becoming tender, that spring is on its way. In the same way, when they saw the signs that Jesus gave them, they were to know that Jesus’ prediction was happening. It is easy to skip over pronouns. It says he is near, at the very gates. I was still thinking about Jesus coming in the clouds and tried to apply that to Jesus, but looking more closely, I think it is the abomination, and this is referring to the destruction of the temple, especially because of the comment about the generation not passing away. Here again is where I get confused by the immediate prophesy versus the long-range prophesy. My mind just does not seem to think with prophetic logic. It’s just like when I read the Messianic prophesies mixed in with the local prophecies in the Old Testament. I can vaguely see the similar pattern here, but I just can’t understand the implications because the logic eludes me.
(Application) One promise we have from Jesus is that His words are true and enduring. Friends come and go. Family dies. Nature is destroyed. My own body is becoming more and more degraded. It all goes away, but Jesus’ promises, His words, stay forever. I can count on His words regardless of how many years ago He uttered them. His words are still true. His words are still relevant. His words are still necessary. His words are still life.
(Prayer) Teach me to observe the beauties of Your creation and to appreciate the complex interactions that You have set into motion. I ask for faith to always trust Your words and to let them sink deep into my heart. You are trustworthy and an Artist and enduring. Thank You that You drew me to You with Your love for me.