The Coming of Spring - The Coming of Christ

Near the end of every January, almond trees produce pink blossoms which announce the coming of spring. It makes sense that the Hebrew word for this blossom sounds like the Hebrew word for "watching" as the tree's changes are "watching over" the coming transition from winter's death to spring's life. In Jeremiah 1:11-12, the prophet records the following words:

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word."

One of the major themes of Jeremiah's writings would be that of watching. In the opening hours of his prophetic work, the Creator acknowledged the importance of such soberness and then used the weeping prophet to passionately communicate His plea for His people to return to more faithful lifestyle n service to God.

This Divine message is true today. God, both then and now, has asked His children to serve Him. Jesus said, "Come to me" in His desire to grant rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28). The apostle Peter reminds us that God is wanting all of us to repent and is hoping that no one will perish (II Peter 3:9). The job for each of us is to first of all hear these messages and then to tell others about the great value of truly serving God. When Jesus told us to "Go" and preach Him in the great commission, He was in some ways telling us to be like almond trees in January as they announce the coming of spring (Matthew 28:19).

The most important announcement we can share with others, of course, is the coming of Christ. Like Jeremiah's almond trees, we should stand tall, always ready to remind ourselves and others that our Savior will return like a thief in the night (I Thessalonians 5:2). In telling others, we are encouraging and urging them to get ready because just as spring will definitely follow the cold of winter, so will the advent of Jesus follow our lives on earth.

In the next month or two, we will continue to see God's great work as the cool of winter gives way to the birth of spring. As we witness this great event, let us truly appreciate our Creator. And, let us be ever-mindful that each day we live brings us one day closer to the coming of Christ, the day of judgment, and our wonderful opportunity to spend eternity with our great and wonderful God.