Matthew 13:24-30
24 Another parable put he forth unto
them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a
man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his
enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought
forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27So the servants of the householder came and said
unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath
it tares?
28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The
servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the
tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in
the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the
tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my
barn.
To
GOD be the glory! The central message of
this parable is that the consummated kingdom of God will be different from the
present kingdom (reign) in that the consummated kingdom will be in a perfected
environment of only sons of the kingdom. Currently, sons of the kingdom and
sons of the Evil One live together in human society.
Tares were very common in Palestine and
closely resemble wheat; they are not really distinguishable from wheat until
the grain appears at harvest time.
The
question of separation ore relative purity in conduct or doctrine among the
disciples and the church is answered by Jesus’ directive. This is not to be
done by the disciples nor by the church-but will ultimately be done by God’s
angels (vv. 39, 41). Premature
separation in the present age is out of the question and becomes more
destructive than it is purifying.
Matt.
13: 37, 38 His Field – A Promise of Harvest. WORLD EVANGELISM
To the farmer, the field is a
promise of harvest. This area of land
prompts his vision of a yielding crop.
On last Friday, June 3, 2011, we shared the parable of the Sower and
today the Wheat and the Tares, Jesus interprets that parabolic picture: The field is the world.” Christ’s own imagery
points to the process of world evangelism: Go and sow the field may or may not
appear fertile; the field may be ravished by drought (spiritual need) or insect
(spiritual opponents), but in either case the field is itself the summons. Lift up your eyes (Prov.29:18; John 4:35-37).
(Is.40:8-11/Matt. 24:1-4)
Reflections:
What
can malicious weed-sowing tell us about the kingdom of God? The image Jesus
uses here is a common everyday example of planting, harvesting, and sorting the
good fruit from the bad. Weeds can spoil and even kill a good harvest if they
are not separated and destroyed at the proper time.
Uprooting them too early,
though, can destroy the good plants in the process. Just as nature teaches us
patience, so God's patience also teaches us to guard the word he has planted in
our hearts and to beware of the destructive force of sin and evil which can
destroy it. God's word brings life, but Satan seeks to destroy the good seed
which has been planted in the hearts of those who have heard God's word. God's
judgment is not hasty, but it does come. And in the end, God will reward each
according to what they have sown and reaped in this life. In that day God will
separate the evil from the good. Do we allow God's word to take deep root in our
heart?
Let
us pray: "Lord, may your word take deep root in our hearts and that we may
bear good fruit for your glory. May we hunger for your righteousness now that we
may look forward to the Day of Judgment with joy rather than with dismay.
In Christ,
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
No comments:
Post a Comment