Interpreting The Times Series

Humanity’s ability to predict the weather has improved over the centuries. Simple observations of general weather patterns and seasonal shifts have evolved into highly technological advancements that allow us to predict or provide some best guesses regarding pending weather events several days in advance. I find it fascinating to see how meteorologists analyze storm tracking models from multiple different sources in order to provide probabilities of outcomes. And yet predicting the weather poorly can cause catastrophic outcomes.

While still far from our technological abilities today, in 1888 The Schoolhouse Blizzard struck the northern midwestern states. According to one account:

“After enjoying mild weather, rural communities in the northwest plains of the US were caught tragically ill-prepared as chilling winds and a snowstorm hit them with no warning. It was reported that the temperature fell nearly 37°C (100°F) in just 24 hours on 12 January 1888.

It’s thought 235 people died from hypothermia, many of them children and farm workers making their way home in the perilous conditions. According to reports, the Army Signal Corps (who were then tasked with weather reporting) chose not to issue a cold wave warning the previous night.”

Nearly 100 years ago (1927), the Kickerbocker Storm buried the District of Columbia in over 2.5 feet of snow after weather watchers predicted a mild weather just the day before.

Just over a decade ago, Super Storm Sandy surprised many weather predictors. One account notes:

It’s acknowledged that meteorologists largely got the forecast right for Hurricane Sandy, which tore up the Atlantic Coast from the Caribbean in October 2012 before transitioning into a so-called superstorm. However, the way the storm was classified may have influenced how the public responded.

Following protocol, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) chose not to issue hurricane warnings north of North Carolina once Sandy transformed into an unusual hybrid storm. This decision led to miscommunication and confusion among authorities issuing public alerts, causing people to underestimate the storm’s severity.

Weather is wonderful and very difficult to predict precisely. It’s clear that Someone else is in charge! While our technology has changed our methods of observation, as we’ll see today, Jesus uses our abilities to see weather patterns and make predictions that will help us generally make plans. The question is, are we observing and interpreting eternal things in the same way?

Open your bibles to Luke 12.

Over the last few weeks in our study of the book of Luke, Jesus has been urging us to have an eternal outlook on things. Fearing or revering God rather than people, trusting that God will supply what we need rather than being anxious, and being ready for Jesus’ return as demonstrated in our service and stewardship.

Today, we conclude what we might consider to be a mini-series or subset on eternal perspectives as we consider the call to respond to the gospel before it’s too late.

Luke 12:54–13:9 ESV

He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”