28: The Kingdom Parables (Part 2 - Mt 13:24-52)

Last week we began to hear Jesus share The Kingdom Parables.

Jesus taught in parables because stories stick.

Parables are everyday stories revealing eternal truths.

One of the parables we talked about was about the farmer throwing out seed - birds, rocky ground, thorns, and good ground.

Jesus is the farmer throwing the seed out on different kinds of soil.

His true disciples will won’t fall away due to persecution.

His true disciples won’t get tangled up in worldly worries, riches, or pleasures on earth.

He is calling His disciples to an incredible task…to bear spiritual fruit - that their lives would produce more life!

In the parable of seed & soils Jesus had warned that all 4 types of people represented could hear what Jesus said. But they didn’t all respond in the same way.

(v.12) Some heard the word but the devil took it away.

(v.13) Some heard the word & received it with joy, but fell away & wouldn’t stand when persecution came.

(v.14) Some heard the word but worries of life become more important - worries, riches, & pleasure.

These 3 seeds represent those who even what they think they have will be taken from them.

4. The 4th example represents The good soil represents His true disciples, who listen to His teaching.those who will be given more.

Today we continue with The Kingdom Parables, and these might make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

It’s said that those who could get a glimpse of hell would do whatever it takes not to go there. Today we will hear Jesus use multiple parables to prepare his audience for the reality of eternity that awaits all people - future hope or future judgment. And what Jesus says should make an eternal difference in our daily decisions.

As mentioned last week, it seems that Jesus told several stories back-to-back-to-back, with no explanation.

Matthew 13:24–26 (NLT)

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.”

The term for these weeds (NET darnel; NAS tares) refers to “a weedy rye grass with poisonous seeds, which in early stages of growth looks like wheat but can be distinguished easily at harvest time.” [1]

Matthew 13:27-28 (NLT)

The farmer’s workers went to him and said, “Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?” “An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “Should we pull out the weeds?” they asked.

Had you asked ME that question I would have said, “Absolutely - yank those nasty things out by the roots!” But that wasn’t how the farmer responded.

Matthew 13:29-30 (NLT)

“No,” he replied, “you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest.

This kind of weed has roots that are stronger and deeper than the wheat, so uprooting the weeds would uproot the wheat before it’s ready to be harvested. [2]

Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.”

That’s it, the end of the story. But as you know, parables aren’t just stories,

Parables are everyday stories revealing eternal truths.

So, what are the ETERNAL TRUTHS that this story reveals, you ask? You ask great questions!

We’ll get to that in a moment, but first we get to hear a couple more stories.

Matthew 13:31–32 (NLT)

Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”

Mustard seeds were the smallest seeds typically planted in Galilee, often used as illustrations for the smallest amount of something (Mt 17:20).

But these small seeds can grow into large bushes measuring 10-12 feet high & very wide. This becomes a sanctuary for birds to make nests in its branches.

What's the eternal truth about the Kingdom of Heaven in this story?

It might start small, with just a few disciples, but it will grow into a large family that has room for many people to find rest, protection, and hope!

The humble beginnings of the Messianic Kingdom of Jesus was overlooked by many Jews as being insignificant - like a tiny mustard seed. But the GROWTH of the Kingdom would prove it’s legitimacy, as people from all over the world until the return of Jesus, are gathered into the Kingdom of Heaven!

The next story has the same meaning.

Matthew 13:33 (NLT)

Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” 

Matthew 13:34–35 (NLT)

Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: “I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.”

WHY SO MANY PARABLES?

Parables reveal & conceal - revealing truth to those who are listening, but concealing the truth from those who refuse to listen.

Parables help the simple see and make the boastful blind.

And that’s it. After telling all these stories, Jesus gets off the boat and makes his way back to the house He’s staying in.

Matthew 13:36–38a (NLT)

Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:38b-39 (NLT)

The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.

Matthew 13:40–42 (NLT)

Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Those who say that Jesus never judges or those who say there is no hell, or God wouldn’t send anyone there…MUST CONTEND with what Jesus has said [not what Jackie has said].

There WILL BE a real judgment and THERE IS a real place or punishment.

Thankfully, there is HOPE, because that isn’t the end of the story. What happens to the good seed - the people of the kingdom?

Matthew 13:43 (NLT)

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

What if this IS what is going to happen at the end of time? What if we really are 1 breath from eternal life in the Kingdom of God OR

…one breath from eternal death - forever separated from God’s love and future hope, rightly punished for our sins?

If so, then will really ought to consider how we could change the trajectory of our eternal home.

Eternity - have you ever really considered HOW LONG THAT IS?

ROPE ILLUSTRATION Many of us invest so much time in this, to get to this time of retirement [last part of red tape], without investing any time in eternity.

The Bible teaches that what I do with this little red part, is going to determine what happens for the rest of THIS time [show all the rope]

That’s exactly what Jesus is pointing His ancient audience…and this contemporary crowd to, the reality of eternity.

Matthew 13:44–46 (NLT)

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

Does that sound like YOUR pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven? What is getting in the way of you seeking the KINGdom?

Many of us won’t take 20 minutes to get off our phones and get on our knees or crack open the Scriptures. But we’ve got time for movies, videos, sports, hunting, and other hobbies.

And just in case Jesus wasn’t clear enough for the hard headed folks that weren’t really listening to the part of the weeds being thrown into the furnace with the wheat was gathered into the barn...

Matthew 13:47–50 (NLT)

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Then Jesus asked THEM and question that WE need to answer as well.

Matthew 13:51–52 (NLT)

“Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”

Every teacher of religious law was a scholar trained to interpret the Scriptures, how to seek wisdom and understanding, and then teach it to others. [3]

But Jesus is not referring to these scholarly scribes, many whom rejected Jesus, but to anyone who would follow Him and becomes a disciple in the Kingdom. These people were now to make the connection between the Old Covenant teachings and the New Covenant truths as communicated by Jesus the Messiah, like a homeowner now combining the new gems of truth as taught by Jesus, with the old treasures of truth as taught through the Old Covenant Scriptures.

So, like a homeowner bringing out the new gems and old gems to share with his guests, the disciple is to bring out these treasures of truth to share with others!

And that’s it. The Kingdom Parables told and explained.

Now the only question is…Do WE understand all these things? And what are WE going to do with THAT?

FEET2FAITH

Self-Check. Are YOU a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven? Are you forgiven & free....or are you guilty & enslaved to sin - pride, greed, lust, and temporary pleasures that leave you empty? TURN FROM your sin and TURN TO Jesus!

I’m Almost Well!

Garrett Krell tweeted these words about a lady in the church he serves:

An elderly sister from our church who deeply loves Jesus was on her deathbed and was asked by by a visiting member, "How are you feeling?"

The sister slowly opened her eyes, smiled, and said, "I'm almost well."

Do YOU have that kind of hope?

Seek. Seek the Kingdom FIRST. Open the treasures from the Old Testament & New Testament Scriptures. Practice being aware of Jesus’ Presence. Serve others in Jesus’ Name.

Share. Warn of God’s wrath and offer God’s peace. There is coming a day of judgment for ALL PEOPLE. People need to know the TRUTH - according to Jesus there really is the reality of eternity. Ask God for opportunities to share with others. Fight through the fear and share that you care about their souls.

Burn Eternity Into My Eyeballs

Kent Hughes tells the story of Joe Bayly, a spiritual leader in the church Hughes went to pastor. He describes Joe as one who valued others and valued the Scriptures, someone to whom Hughes really came to appreciate. As an elder at the church, the man had preached at the church many times.

Kent recalls Joe's final sermon where he said, “Oh, God, burn eternity into my eyeballs. Help me to see all of this life through the perspective of eternity.”

_____________

Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 482.

Donald A. Hagner, Matthew 1–13, vol. 33A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1993), 384.

Hagner, 401.

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discussionquestions

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching?

Read Matthew 13:24-30. Who is the enemy & what does he do? Who do the wheat represent? Who do the weeds represent?

Read Matthew 13:31-33. What is the point Jesus is trying to make? How have we seen the ‘mustard seed/yeast’ grow?

Read Matthew 13:36-43 & 47-50. Based on the parable of the weeds in the field (Mt 13:36-44) & the fishing net (Mt 13:47-50), what would you say to a person who says, “I don’t think a loving God would send people to hell forever.”? What HOPE do you find in these 2 parables?

After reading Matthew 13:44-46, what is the point of these 2 parables? What are some evidences of a person who is seeking the KINGdom wholeheartedly? How does this challenge YOU?

After reading Matthew 13:51-52, and looking back at your notes for comments to help, what are some practical ways that we could help others see how the New Testament teachings of Jesus can give clarity to the Old Testament AND how the Old Testament gives background that helps us better appreciate the New Testament. (e.g. knowing that Jesus died to pay for our sins [New Testament], but seeing how this was spoken of 700 years before [Isaiah 53 - Old Testament]).

What does God want YOU to do with what we studied today?

Share prayer needs and pray for one another.