Monday, June 27, 2011

Matthew 13: Part II - The Parable of the Weeds (NIV)

Summary:

The Parable of the Weeds
Verses 24-30

The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed seed in his field.  While everyone was asleep, his enemy sowed weeds among the wheat and left.  When the wheat sprouted, so did the weeds.  The servants asked the owner that if he had sown good seed, then where had the weeds come from?  The owner explained that an enemy had done this.  So, the servants asked if they should uproot the weeds.  The owner said no, because they'd risk uprooting the wheat as well.  They were to wait until the harvest.  The harvesters would collect and bundle the weeds to be burned.  Then, the wheat would be gathered and brought into his barn.

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
Verses 31-35

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field.  It is the smallest of seeds, but it grows into the largest garden plant and then into a tree.  It provides a perch for the birds of the air.

The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixes into a large amount of flour until it is worked into all the dough.

Jesus spoke to the crowd only in parables, which fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 78:2 - " 'I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.' " (Verse 35b)

The Parable of the Weeds Explained
Verses 36-43

Jesus went into the house and the disciples asked Him to explain the parable of the weeds.  Jesus told them:
- sower of good seed = Son of Man
- field = world
- good seed = sons of the kingdom
- weeds = sons of the evil one
- enemy = devil
- harvest = end of the age
- harvesters = angels

As the weeds are pulled up and burned, so it will be at the end of the age.  The Son of Man will send His angels to weed out of His kingdom everything that causes sin and all that do evil.  They will be thrown into a fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The righteous will shine like the sun, in their Father's kingdom.

" 'He who has ears, let him hear.' "  (Verse 43b)

Lori's Thoughts:

Why is there evil in this world?  Why do bad things happen?

"Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation..."  (II Peter 3:15)

If God came right now, less people would be saved and go to heaven.  God sees everything.  He sees our pain and suffering.  Although He is waiting for the end, for the perfect moment, He does not sit idly by as we suffer.  "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"  (Hebrews 1:14)  He sent His Son to give us hope and salvation from evil, and He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Do not mistake His patience for apathy.  God is real and so is the devil.  Evil will be purged out.  I pray that none of you are entangled in evil when that time comes.  Allow God to work in your life and help you grow.  As the mustard seed and yeast parables show, all you need is a little bit of faith.  God can work with that.  Just say, "Yes".  Say, "Okay, God".  Look up and say, "Help".  He'll be there.  He was for me.  I know He sent a ministering angel when I gave up and sought death.  I couldn't deal with the weight of my guilt and the suffering that was inflicted upon me for over 20 years.  But, I had a desperate clutch on hope.  It saved my life.  Here I am spiritually and mentally sound.  Life can still suck, but I know I'm not alone and I know how this game of life will play out.  I'm with God on this one.

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