We Wait Patiently For the Final Harvest based on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

I. Weeds are still common today.

II. Jesus told a parable about weeds in Matthew 13:24-30 “He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

III. Why does Jesus tell a parable about weeds?

IV. Jesus Himself gives us the meaning of the parable after He was alone with His disciples in a house in Matthew 13:37-43 “He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”

V. Jesus is the One who sows the good seed.

VI. The weeds are a different story.

VII. No one, except God the Father, knows when the final harvest or the end of the age will be.

VIII. The good seed, the wheat, will be gathered into the barn.

IX. All those brought to saving faith in Jesus by the Holy Spirit have peace with God right now.

X. The world still has bad seed and good seed. Even though we can get impatient at times, being patient and trusting God’s promises in Jesus are the best way to live. That good new of Jesus and the way God keeps His promises in Jesus is something to be thankful for and to rejoice in each and every day. Amen.