Matthew 13:24-33
The first of three parables in these Scripture verses is about a farmer who took care to sow good seed in his field.
The farmer had an enemy, however, who came and sowed weeds among the wheat planted by the farmer.
The farmer’s enemy did this while everyone on the farm was asleep. This does not mean they were careless and lazy, but it serves as a reminder to us that evil creeps in as soon as our enemy finds an opportunity.
Tender green leaves popped out of the soil and it looked as if there would be a good crop of wheat until workers on the farm realized weeds were mingled in with the wheat. There was a weed that was sometimes sown in this manner to spoil a wheat crop. This particular weed bears a close resemblance to wheat until the wheat reaches the stage at which it produces a head on the end of the stalk.
Immediately, the workers asked the farmer if he wanted them to pull up the weeds. He told them to wait until the harvest because by pulling up weeds, they would also uproot the wheat. In the harvest, the farmer said, the weeds would be separated from the wheat and burned.
In verses 37-43, Christ Jesus explained to the disciples that He is the farmer and the “good seed” is representative of people who are truly saved. The devil is the enemy who sows the weeds, and the weeds are people who are the devil’s children.
Jesus made this statement about the church – there never has been, there is not presently nor will there be a church that is 100 percent wheat. We will never see 100 percent wheat until the Lord comes again. In the meantime, weeds in the church should heed Christ’s warning because there will be a separation and judgment one day.
The kingdom of heaven, Jesus said in the second parable, is like a mustard seed that a man sowed in his field. The mustard seed is tiny, but it produces a large plant. The point of this parable is that the gospel church had a tiny beginning, but it has become very large and many people have been saved. Again, when the Lord returns, the “mustard seed” will take over the earth.
The third parable is about the effects of yeast. A small amount of yeast has an effect on a large lump of dough. The church is the yeast in this world, and Christians ought to have an impact for Jesus in every area of life.
Christ Jesus used parables to teach precious truths in fulfillment of Scriptures where we find, “I will open my mouth in a parable” (Psalm 78:2). He said of Himself, “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand” (Matthew 13:13).
Many people saw the miracles done by Christ Jesus, but they were unaffected. Those people heard Him speak, but they did not listen and their hearts were unchanged. Pray for sincere repentance and eyes and ears of understanding. May the good seed far outnumber the bad, and may Christ’s church glorify Him always.
The Sunday school lesson is written by Ed Wilcox, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church. edwilcox@nc.rr.coman impact for Jesus in every area of life.
Christ Jesus used parables to teach precious truths in fulfillment of Scriptures where we find, “I will open my mouth in a parable” (Psalm 78:2). He said of Himself, “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand” (Matthew 13:13).
Many people saw the miracles done by Christ Jesus, but they were unaffected. Those people heard Him speak, but they did not listen and their hearts were unchanged. Pray for sincere repentance and eyes and ears of understanding. May the good seed far outnumber the bad, and may Christ’s church glorify Him always.