JULY 21 – SPRING!

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near” (Mathew 24:32).

Though several seasons come one after the other in a year, the season which is sweet and joyful is the spring season. Everyone will be eagerly waiting for this spring season to arrive.

The season preceding the spring season is the terrible winter season. Snow will be covered wherever you see. In the stage of dormancy, the trees will drop all the leaves and appear bare, birds will migrate to hotter countries. The beautiful cities will wear a deserted look being filled with white snow.

But once the winter comes to an end, the spring will set in. New shoots will come out of the trees. Within a few days, flowers can be seen in bunches in the plants. Birds from distant places will arrive and sing happily. People also will begin to rejoice by singing and dancing at the arrival of the spring season. We can read about this spring season in the book ‘Song of Solomon.’  “The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!” (Song of Solomon 2:10, 13).

The voice of God calling the bride can be heard only in the spring. Our God also cites an example to show that the Coming of God will also be around this spring season. “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near” (Mathew 24:32).

This fig tree is an icon to the Jews. It reflects their political life. John the Baptist cautions that the axe of judgment is placed near the root of the fig tree (Mathew 3:10). But, since the Israelites despised the judgment of God, the axe fell on the Jews in 70 AC. The Jews were scattered. They were chased out of the country of Israel.

The Biblical scholars were eagerly waiting to see whether the fig tree will give out the shoots again and will the Israelites come back and settle in their own land. 19 centuries passed by. At last, the time arrived for the fig tree to give outshoots. On 14th May, 1948, the Israelites received freedom and the spring season began for them. Dear children of God, God calls you saying, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away”.

To meditate: “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you” (Ezekiel 38:7).