From Matthew 13-14
Jesus speaks about the kingdom of heaven in parables. In today’s parable he says good seed is allowed to grow up with weeds. He is talking about his people and giving them hope to persevere among the wicked til the time when he comes in judgment.
This is one of Jesus’ parables.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
In chapter thirteen Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven using parables.
What is the kingdom of heaven?
Simply put the kingdom of heaven (or God) is – God’s people – living under God’s rule – in God’s land. Jesus is the King. The kingdom is as God intends this world to be. Without suffering, sickness, sin and death. When Jesus first came he inaugurated the kingdom. It broke into the world. But the kingdom is a work in progress and wont be complete till Jesus returns to judge and set things right.
24 He put another parable before them, saying,
“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.
27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ” (Mt 13.24-30)
Jesus tells the story of a sower and his enemy. The field owner sows good seed. His enemy seeking to frustrate his crop sows weeds. They are in conflict.
One-way to remove the weeds is to gather them while both are growing. But this will unearth the some of the wheat. This is probably the enemies intention. To destroy a reasonable part of the good crop by the attempt to remove the bad.
The owner wants all his good crop so he allows them to grow up together.
Once it is time for the harvest both weeds and the wheat will have grown to full size and it will be easier to remove the weeds without destroying the wheat. Jesus will explain this parable below.
31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Mt 13.31-32)
The kingdom of heaven starts small seed, but ends up being the biggest tree such that creation makes it home.
33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (Mt 13.33)
The kingdom of heaven is part of this world. It is starts small, perhaps unnoticed. But has a dramatic and good effect on the world.
34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.” (Mt 13.34-35)
Jesus teaches in parables because that is what he was prophesied to do (Ps 78.2; cf. Isa 6.9-10). Jesus’ teaching ministry is according to the scriptures.
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.”
37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. (Mt 13.36-43)
Jesus’ parable is a story about God the Father, himself as the owner/sower (‘the Son of Man’), the Devil as his enemy (‘evil one’), God’s people (‘sons of the kingdom’) and the Devils (‘sons of the evil one’). Note the kingdom and familial relationships.
For the time being both people groups are allowed to grow up together.
Thus, God’s people, the righteous, will be hampered. But this will not last. Jesus says there will be a time when he will come again in judgment and his angels will cast out the wicked (‘all causes of sin and law breakers’) from his kingdom into the fire, leaving only the righteous.
Unrestrained from the presence of the wicked they will ‘shine like the sun’ as God intended them too.
About Jesus
Jesus’ parables about the kingdom of heaven talk about what the kingdom looks like now and what it will look like after he returns.
Jesus often alludes to himself as king of the kingdom, putting himself in a position of authority.
Jesus’ kingdom has begun. It looks small and may be unnoticed. But it is gaining influence and size.
Jesus parables seek to explain and give comfort to his followers in times of trial and suffering. They give future hope and help people to persevere. Jesus is looking after his people.
Do you want to be part of this kingdom? Jesus’ kingdom?
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
