Setting: Contemporary worship
Length: 28:24
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Title: Parabe of the Wheat and Tares, part 2 of 2
Commentary: This sermon is part of a series on the parables of the kingdom in Matthew 13.
Main Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, part 2 is vs.36-43
Main Topics: parables, wheat, tares, delayed judgment, disciples, farming, crusades
As you listen, select, copy, and paste the following outline:
Introduction
-we have made a commitment to go through the 13th chapter of Matthew….verse by verse
-let’s quickly get our bearings again
This is the holy land
-the dead sea, Jordan River, the sea of Galilee
-Jesus is up here….in the region of Galilee
-this is the region of Galilee
-scholars believe that Jesus is in Capernaum
-and from here, Jesus steps out and goes to the NW corner of the sea of Galilee to a place we now call Sower’s Cove
-and there, Jesus will get into a boat…to speak to the thousands that came to hear him
-and there in Sower’s Cove….Jesus taught in parables about the kingdom of heaven
-I will not be giving you an additional tip on reading parables
-instead, we are going to jump right into the parable for today
-and this parable is found in 2 sections in chapter 13
-the parable itself in vs.24 – 30
-the parable explained in vs. 36-43
-we are taking 2 sermons to cover this parable
-today is part 2….
-but…let’s begin with a quick review of part 1 to warm up to this most important parable
Part 1 tells the story of a farmer who went out to sow his seed
Vs.24 The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed
-that’s a no brainer….you have to use good seed
-all good farmers meticulously selected good seed
-planting the right seed is the difference between a good harvest and disastrous one!
-after a long hard day’s work of sowing seeds….vs.25 says
-everyone was sleeping
-but in the dead of night….an enemy comes…v.25
-we learned in part 1 that these weeds that were sown were not your everyday garden variety weeds
-in fact, our modern concept of weeds does not help us at all in understanding this text
-because these were very special weeds…carefully selected
to look like wheat…..grow like wheat, act like wheat…but is not wheat
-remember the Superman comics?
-remember that anti-Superman character
-he looked like Superman but was some mutated form of
Superman?
-remember Lex Luther who used the duplicating ray to create him
-what was that “bizarre” anti-hero’s name? Bizarro
-he looked like superman….had his powers…but was clumsy and could not be superman
-he was the anti-superman…remember the backwards “S”?
-well, these weeds were like that….looked like wheat, had the same life cycle as wheat, but was not wheat…it was Bizarro wheat
BUT….that was the plan
-a brilliantly evil plan to destroy the wheat field
-cast these bizarro seeds
-and let the farmer himself water them and grow them together
-rookie farmers or rookie assistants would never notice the difference
-Until they start growing….
vs.26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared….
-now they see the difference now…
-and they panic…v.27 and say to the farmer:
'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field?
Where then did the weeds come from?'
This Farmer….is a veteran
-he immediately knows what happened
-so, he says in v.28 'An enemy did this…
v.28 the rookie servants ask: “… 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
-the farmer immediately says….NO
'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.
-the farmer is a veteran
-he knows that that the roots are completely entangled…
-and so, he says….NO…don’t do it….
30 Let both grow together until the harvest.
-at that time, you tell the harvesters….
First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "
*the servants initially panic, but the farmer has a plan
-the plan may take time…but it’s still a plan
Vs.30…Let both grow together…until the harvest
-later that day…
-Jesus and the disciples head back home…to Capernaum
-along the way, the disciples are confused
-something DOESN’T makes sense to the disciples
-sure, it makes sense as a farmer
-but, spiritually…something does not make sense
-so, when they arrive at Peter’s house, they say in v.36
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
-I find this to be emphatic…considering the fact that this is the ONLY parable out of the 8 in Matt. 13 for which they ask for an explanation
-it must have been some serious confusion for them
Back in part 1, it confused us…that the disciples were confused
-because Jesus’ explanation made perfect sense to us
-so, we reminded ourselves in part 1 that many of us grew up in the church and went to Sunday school
-and us, long time Sunday schoolers understand exactly what Jesus is talking about
-remember the 5 things I said that we all learned in Sunday school?
1. that this world has both believers and unbelievers
2. that Satan is alive and active in this world
3. But that Jesus is coming again
4. that there will be a final judgment
5. that the good guys win in the end
-well, all 5 of these things are pictured here in Jesus’ explanation
-and so, for us….no problem…we learned it in Sunday School
-but for the disciples, this is brand new stuff..
-Jesus’ teaching about a delayed judgment is truly….revolutionary
A Copernican Revolution, if you will
Remember Copernicus?
-the Polish mathematician and astronomer who proposed that the sun is the center and not the earth?
-for school kids today, that’s basic information
-but, such a proposal back then was mind blowing
-it changed everything
-in the same way…for the disciples, it was a Copernican revolution
-all their lives, they have been waiting for the messiah to come and set things right….in their lifetime
-the messiah will come and everything will be made right….right before their eyes
-the good and the bad will be separated and final judgment will
roll down from heaven
-Jesus’ explanation was truly shocking
Part 2 brings us Jesus’ explanation
-in v.37ff
37He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of
Man.
38The field is the world,
and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom.
The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
39and the enemy who sows them is the devil.
The harvest is the end of the age,
and the harvesters are angels.
40"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
For the record, this is the FIRST time Jesus speaks about a future judgment…in other words…a delayed judgment
-the disciples had the right idea…but the timing was off
-and if the timing is off, then a clear understanding of the present and the future is also off
-the present is not to be a time of judgment…this judgment is to be delayed
-NOT because God is procrastinating
…NOT because God is casual with His divine schedule
…and CERTAINLY NOT because God is OK with all the injustices, moral decay, suffering, and corruption that is running rampant…
-NO…judgment is delayed because IN HIS TIME….IN HIS DIVINE PLAN…HE has allowed… a period of grace
-NOW is not a time of judgment…because NOW is a time for mercy
-NOW is not a time to punish the wicked…but to call them to repentance and a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
NOW is NOT the final harvest, because there is still time to plant good seed
-For the disciples, this was the beginning of a new approach
-a new look on life…
-instead of looking at the world as a place to be burned up in the fires of judgment
-they were to look with new eyes…at a world that needed mercy
and God’s saving grace
-this is a NEW look…with a NEW attitude…expressed in a new approach…taking the first steps toward….A NEW journey
-and this new journey…it’s going to take some time
-this is AFTER the lessons of Sower’s Cove
-because it takes time to adopt a new attitude…a new worldview
-there will be times when the old attitude…the old worldview creeps back in
-and Jesus will have to rebuke them…repeatedly…rebuke them for going back to the old way of thinking
-like that time….towards the END of Jesus ministry
-Jesus was heading down south to Jerusalem
Luke 9:51-56
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to
destroy them ?"
-the sons of Thunder…needed to less thunderous
-….looks like they forgot about what they learned at Sower’s Cove
55…Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56and they went to another village.
- it’s going to take time…a new attitude…a new worldview
-the parable of the wheat and tares is not an easy one to digest
-the disciples will need to be rebuked from time to time
-for they were slow to understand
-slow to change
-slow to adopt something new….
-and much too quick to pass judgment
-a little too eager to call down fire from heaven
-a little too willing to fight
-a little too vigilant for the cause
…history has shown that Christians were not much better
-our history shows that we have not learned the lesson from this parable
….lest we think that we are any better, we should be reminded of our own history
Constantine
-the 4th century Roman emperor who allegedly became a Christian… personified the old way of thinking when he required every person to make a profession of faith or be killed
-yikes….that’s one way to motivate people to join the church
-unfortunately, it also led to the killing of many
Many years later, Christians were deliriously inspired, thinking that all unbelievers had to be eradicated
-The crusades were a terrible time of dark inspiration and misguided passion
-somehow they saw it as a high calling to take up the sword and spear in the name of Jesus to punish the wicked and cleansed the world of unbelief
-and so, in the name of Jesus….they killed thousands of Muslims and Jews
-capturing many
-destroying, looting, and pillaging their towns
-this a tragic part of our Christian history that brings great shame
-knights in shining armor…they were not
-their actions showed a complete lack of awareness of Matthew 13 and the powerful lesson of the wheat and tares
[you know, our church has a group of men called the “Good Knights”….they seem like a benevolent bunch….I trust they are not looting and pillaging the city of Orange when they meet]
As we zoom into the present, we continue to display our ignorance of this parable
-the disciples aren’t the only ones with a short term memory
-we forget all the time what we learned in Sunday School…
-too busy eating animal crackers and juice, we forget what time it is…it’s a time for mercy….not judgment
-but, every time things go wrong…we forget Sunday School and go “old school”…which teaches…that
-NOW is the time to judge…now is the time to punish
-for example…
-After September 11, 2001….after the terrorist attack on America, Christians took to the streets, waving signs of God’s alleged hatred of America. In bold text, these signs declared “God hates America” and “God hates You”…
-this is the old attitude of the disciples who were quick to want fire to come down and wipe out the land
-some believers demonstrate with hate-signage…even without a national tragedy….just the simple presence of sinners…is enough to fuel their alleged righteous anger against them
-with anger and hate they hold signs saying: God hates you!
-they are the modern-day crusaders, knights in dented armor…under serious delusion of carrying out God’s judgment
-we should know better
-having the parable of the wheat and tares…we should know better
-do “signs” of hate represent God?
-or do signs of love represent the Father?
Jesus said….in Matthew 5
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
-we should know better than to show such anger and hatred
-in fact, we should KNOW…the true Prince of Peace….better
-How He lived
-His life was a commingling with the wicked
-never a part of their lifestyle, but always approaching them and inviting them to a saving knowledge
-He was IN the world, but not OF it…
-The Samaritan woman
-He did not dismiss…but actually sat with her
-The woman caught in adultery
-he did not throw the first stone
-Zachaeus…the hated tax collector…up in a tree
-He did not chop the tree down with the little man in it
-but asked him to come down so that he could dine with him
-so many other examples….
-but the ultimate example is Judas
-Jesus knew who he was and which side he was on
-but Jesus allowed the son of the evil one…to be next to him for 3 intimate years….
…and it’s not because Jesus was a softee who just loved everyone
NOT because Jesus was OK with sin….
-but that he was mindful of the divine schedule
-and this divine calendar includes a period of grace and mercy
-of patience and longsuffering
-as good and evil are deeply entangled together like roots underground
-and the entanglement…the intertwining of both good and bad…will lead to a lot of problems
-a lot of suffering
-a lot of injustices
-but what unfolds on earth is NOT a complete reflection of the Master Plan
-a master plan that mysteriously involves the intentions of the wicked
-that Satan is allowed to spread evil seeds in the middle of the night while the good farmers sleep
-but the harvest will someday come
-and so, it is with our eyes on that FUTURE HARVEST that we continue to labor today…intertwined with the lives of unbelievers….awaiting the day when all things will be made right
-and when we live in the midst of such entanglement, we can….
…fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
-BEFORE He sat down on His glorious throne, He endured much
-as God, he could have put a stop to the suffering and shame
-He could have purged the world of all evil right then and there
-even when He was betrayed that terrible night when good men and evil men were entwined in the garden…
-the disciples of Jesus….inter-locked with…Ciaphas, the teachers of the law, the soldiers…and Judas
-Jesus declared that dark night that He could have called down more than 12 legions of angels to stop the process…
…..one legion is 6,000
….12 legions is 72,000 angels!
-consider back in 2 Kings 19:35 where a single angel would slay 185,000 Assyrian soldiers….we can only imagine what more than 72,000 angels could do
-yes, Jesus owns weapons of mass destruction
-but he kept them in his holster….
And as He closed the parable of the wheat and tares, he said…
Let him who has ears let him hear
May God grant the ears to hear and the eyes to see
That there is a time for all things
That there is a purpose to the delay in judgment
As all things unfold according to His plans
-Ephesians 1:11 speaks of God as one who “…works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…”
….But the purpose of his will is not some formal treatise written with no emotion
-for God so loved…..the word…..that He gave His only Son…..to a wicked and depraved world…that we might receive mercy even while we were YET…sinners.
Click to hear part 1
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The following parable also speaks about kingdom growth and should be seen as a set with the Wheat and Tares
Compare the Wheat and Tares to the Parable of the Net.
They have the same message, but have some important differences.
The parable of the Wheat and Tares is referenced in the following sermon about John the Baptist. The confusion of John, seen in Matt.11:1-6 and how Jesus deals with John is similar to Jesus' explanation to the disciples of the wheat and tares. Another way to see this is that the confusion of John is similar to the confusion of the disciples. Click:
The following sermons also emphasizes that all things will work out in God's appointed time:
The series of parables in Matthew 13 ends with a tragic event. Click to find out:
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