56 “You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? 57 “And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right?Luke 12:56–57 (NAS)

It’s obvious to me from observing four children and 11 grandchildren that all are not born analysts and assessors. Most skip carefree through early life. You can spot the discerners early on though. When the others jump in the water, they’ll stick a toe in first.

Even if we’re clueless, the Bible contains the necessary wisdom to read the tea leaves if we take the initiative and consult it. Matthew Henry aptly comments on its merits.

Christianity has reason and natural conscience on its side; and, if men would allow themselves the liberty of judging what is right, they would soon find that all Christ’s precepts concerning all things are right, and that there is nothing more equitable in itself, nor better becoming us, than to submit to them and be ruled by them.

This is certainly true, but here Jesus was talking about interpreting the current fate of one’s own soul. The throng of people in tow were physically following a great philosopher and miracle worker, but many were still oblivious to the fact that he was the Messiah for whom they had hoped. He called them out as pretenders.

It was high time they put two and two together.