Matthew 13:1–58 (Continued)

May 07, 2012

Jesus explains the seed story.

1. The seed that fell by the road—is like the person who hears the story of God but does not understand it and the Evil One comes and takes away what was planted.  
2. The seed that fell on the rocky ground—is like the person who hears God's teaching and quickly accepts it with joy, but he doesn't let it root deep into his life, so it lasts for only a short period. When trouble comes because of God's teaching, he quickly gives up.  
3. The seed that fell among the thorny weeds—is like the person who hears God's teaching but still wants to be in charge or in control of their life, so they let worries about their life and the desire for wealth take over and control them and that stops the teachings from taking root and growing, so there is no fruit.  
4. The seed that fell on good ground—is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces fruit and spreads God's truth to others. Sometimes 100 fold, and sometimes 30 fold, but always something! Always producing fruit.

Then Jesus told another story. This time the story was about good seed and weeds. A man planted good seed in his field. But under the cover of darkness, his enemy came in and planted weeds among the wheat. The wheat grew, but so did the weeds. The servants asked, "How did this happen?" You planted good seed. Where did the weeds come from? The answer? An enemy planted them. The servants asked whether they should pull up the weeds, and the man answered, "No. If you pull out the weeds you might harm the wheat." Let it go. Wait until the harvest. THEN take care of the weeds. Harvest the weeds first. Tie them together to be burned. Jesus explained, "The man who planted the good seed in the field is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed are all of God's children who belong to the Kingdom. The weeds are those people who belong to the Evil One. And the enemy who planted the bad seed is the devil. The harvest time is the end of the world, and the workers who gather are God's angels." (Matthew 13:37–39)

These verses speak to accountability. It will happen. They also speak to end time prophecy. God will send His angels down to the earth, and they will separate out those who "cause sin and who do evil." (Matthew 13:41) They will be thrown into the blazing furnace, where people cry and grind their teeth in pain. There will be accountability.

I can't help but think about another fiery furnace. Man (Nebuchadnezzar) tried to harm God's people by throwing them into a fiery furnace because they refused to turn their backs on God. His plan did not work. Man cannot control what happens to God's people. Cannot. Here in these verses God sends His angels to pronounce judgment, and man cannot escape it. God will hold people accountable for their choices and actions and nothing can thwart His judgment. The evil will be punished and no-body or no-thing can prevent it. And the good people "will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. You people who can hear me, listen." (Matthew 13:43)


Next Entry: Matthew 13:1–58 (Continued)