“He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? 57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” Luke 12.54-59
I remember reading recently that Vice President Al Gore made some very far-out predictions about global warming, the end of the world, and similar catastrophes from the late 1980s all the way into the 2000s. Although he was right about some of the warming trends on Earth, the changes did not occur to the extent he predicted. He was clearly alarmist in his 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth.
In this passage, Jesus is connecting the spiritual signs of the times to meteorological predictions. Just as Al Gore wrongly predicted many of his assumptions, the Jews of Jesus’ day could not see what God was doing in their midst. They could read the weather, but they could not discern God’s hand at work around them.
I jokingly tell my young nephews and nieces that they should get a “weather rock.” It’s simply a rock you put out on the sidewalk that helps you determine the weather: if it’s wet, it’s raining; if it’s hot, it’s sunny; if it’s covered with snow… you get the point! And if the rock is missing, you’d better take cover!
Perhaps the Jews needed a similar method to help them read the times. They were adept at one thing but missed God’s activity all around them. The frustration, urgency, and annoyance in Jesus’ tone is clear: “Hypocrites!” He calls them. “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” And, “…you will not get out until you have paid the last penny,” referring to His example about reconciliation.
Jesus’ tone was as predictable as the weather (pun intended). He was deeply frustrated with a hard-headed people—a people who would not welcome the work of God, who had sent His Son, the Messiah, to save humanity. Many entirely missed the boat. However, many Jews did repent, believe, and receive the Holy Spirit.
Important note — Don’t miss the Holy Spirit! This is the presence of God who resides within believers. If you have not received God’s Holy Spirit, pray this prayer now:
“Come Holy Spirit into my heart. I trust Jesus as Lord. I surrender my life and will to You. I believe Jesus died for me on the cross. I repent of my sin and turn to trust Christ as my Savior. Amen.”
Reading the signs of the times means realizing that God is working among us. He is right here with us in this very moment, seeking to draw us into a loving, lasting, eternal relationship with Himself. Will you respond to the Lord? Don’t be like the Jews who could not see God at work around them. He is here now. Turn to Him in prayer. Commit your path—and recommit your life—to the One who gave His life for you upon the cross.
“O Lord God, You are good. I trust You, Lord. I love You and glorify Your name. Help me seek You each and every day. Call me by name, help me know the power of Your Spirit, and fill me with Your presence. Guide me into all manner of fruitfulness as You bring revival to our land. For You are good and Your love endures forever.” Amen.