No Matter What

Mark 13:28 ESV

28 “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.

Interesting that Jesus talks about trees: reminders of God’s generosity

Tree of Life, Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil

Trees’ “fruit”: eternal life, relationship w/God

Reminds us that no matter what, Christ reigns generously now & forevermore.

Life from God to give to others, but Adam & Eve reach out in distrust of God & in greed (death)

Christmas Tree

(Pagans?) Legend: Luther — Evergreen as reminder that when world sad, helpless, covered w/sin, Jesus came to bring hope in midst dark & chill.

Remind us that no matter what, Christ reigns generously now & forevermore.

Gather around Christmas trees to practice generosity like Jesus, who gives us His life so that we may life

Tree of the Cross

Jesus hung on tree of the cross; we receive “fruits” of His Body/Blood

Cross becomes new Tree of Life/Knowledge of Good & Evil

Reminds us that no matter what, Christ reigns generously now & forevermore.

In cross, we have eternal life & relationship w/God, depend on Him in life & death

Return of Jesus: Trees of Life line rivers of living water in New Creation

Jesus will dwell w/us forever on earth, generously & abundantly providing everything we need and more!

Restoration to life in Eden, but better! Gain world, reunited w/faithful

God gives trees as examples of the Christian life of hope

Every year, trees undergo a death & resurrection of sorts.

Trees die in Winter trusting that God will raise them in Spring

Trees have steadfast “trust” God will give them new life — life from God to give to others

Don’t need beauty for themselves, but God gives beauty to share

Don’t need fruit for themselves, but God gives for others (trees & creatures)

No matter what happens in world, they do their thing; Trees don’t care about wars, pandemics, tragedies, unemployment, presidents, Super bowl champions, etc.

As Christians, we live generously because our Lord is extravagantly generous toward us.

Mark 13:28–29 ESV

28 “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. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

Like trees, steadfast trust in God’s generosity toward us.

We have eternal life & relationship w/Him in Jesus no matter what

We depend on Jesus no matter what — in life & death

Alert & watchful for Jesus’s final coming, Spring of New Creation

Share gifts that God has given to us w/others no matter what

Remind others that no matter what, Christ reigns generously now & forevermore.

2 Corinthians 9:13 (ESV)

13 They will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.

Christians confess that we have a generous God (Gospel) so that we can be generous like Him

How is God calling you to be dependent on Him by being generous with the gifts He has given to you?

Whenever you see a tree, may it remind you of God’s gospel generosity toward you, and the life of the world to come.

Let’s trust Him together no matter what, and be generous as He is generous to us, no matter what.