Matthew 13: 24-43
How would you explain the key words of Wheat, Good seed, enemy and Tares? What is in your life right now that these words could represent?
Look at some key words for us to wrap our heads upon:
“Leaven” is yeast and would be mixed in the flour and water and baked to make bread that is fluffy, more palatable and easier to eat. Or you would lust have a large flat, dry cracker. As with cities today baking was a profession and you obtain your bread from the local bakery or family co-op., Because, ovens were expensed to build and the practicality of laboring in the field in which women did too, and making bread which is an all-day event of gathering, milling, kneading, and baking would be most difficult. But some people pooled their resources and had a community oven and took turns making and proving bread for their community.
Leaven is also a symbol for evil as a little evil can do a lot of damage!
Point? It only takes a very small piece of yeast for a large amount of flour. Just like faith!
“Three measures” of flour is about a bushel and would make enough bread for over one hundred people.
What is Jesus doing? He quotes from Psalm 78:2. He shows His concern for the entire world not just Israel.
Parables disclose and close. Sometimes their meaning is not apparent or literal and takes prayer understanding and thought. They also reveal the truth to those who listen and conceal truth from those who refuse to hear. We have to be open and available for His Word to impact us (Psalm 72:1-6). (For more info read the last study on Parables from Matthew 13:1-23)
“Explain to us,” Jesus was teaching farmers and most of His disciples were fisherman, perhaps they did not understand the metaphors, maybe they were not listening, perhaps their hearts and minds were closed off.
There are times people will not care or listen to us or God. We are still responsible to proceed with maturity, tact and love to proclaim His Word. We are not responsible how people take it or treat us, we are only responsible to trust and obey. Even when you feel like a failure, He is still there loving us and our efforts are never a waist when we are in Him! He is in control His timing is sovereign.
“Harvest,” is a symbol for the End Times (Ezra. 4:30-32; Isa. 32:13-15; Jer. 31:27-28; Hos. 2:21-23; 6:1).
Point? God supplies the seed, we cast them, and He germinates them. Sometime later a seed you sowed may germinate, you never know!
“Gather out” / “weed out” refers to Christ’s divine authority over the final judgment when all those who refused to accept His grace will be cast off into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20).
“Weeds” are the reprobates (Rom. 1) Who refused Christ and took themselves or Satan as their lead.
The “wheat” is His chosen people who by faith accepted Him and He was their leader.
“Shine,” all of our efforts even though sometimes we cannot see them will shine forth in eternity, so have faith and confidence in His Kingdom!
“Furnace,” is Hell (Mark 9:43-48; Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 20:10-15) which is the final place for all those who rejected God. It is the final condemnation and judgment. God does not sentence people there, we send ourselves there (Eze. 33:11; John 3:18-21; Rom. 1:18-32; 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:9-11)!
God is willing and able to save us from Hell, but are we willing to accept His love and free gift, strange as it may be most people refuse (Matt. 5:29-30)!
So, what is the sequence? Who is gathered up first? The faithful Christians? NO!
So, if there is a rapture, and now I think you should hope not, who is taken? Also read Matthew 24 too. The “Weeds” who are pulled and burnt! Evil people who are not redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb! Those who are wicked. Those who refused Christ. Look carefully in order of the sequencing, as many have overlooked this to make their dogmatic point. First, weeds, the enemy are gathered up and thrown into the furnace of fire, Hell. That also means people who teach false doctrines, perhaps that is why this passage is omitted. Then the Harvest of the wheat, meaning the mustard faith folks, those who are the children of the Kingdom of God, are gathered into the barn.
Outline out a plan to put into practice some of the precepts of these parables,
- A willingness to listen.
- The ability to practice real authentic faith.
- Be willing to trust Him regardless of your circumstances.
- Practice surrendered obedience.
Which is far more important that a theory that is wrong….