Not what we had planned

Context

you can’t take the explanation of the parable of the weeds as a direct correlation with the parable itself they each have a different purpose.

Not what was expected....

The disciples expected to find the Messiah’s ministry met with appreciation and total acceptance among all people. The unifying of all God’s people as the Messiah brings in the reign of God. The problem is the Pharisees hate him, His family questions him, and the public don’t understand him.

This great new ministry isn’t having the impact they expected it to have. Yesterday we installed Chad Biar as the pastor of St. John’s in Fallon. Fresh from the seminary on his first Call. Though 9 years ago I remember what it was like with all the expectations and plans for what ministry was going to look like. It doesn’t look the way you think it should in your head.

Being a Christian today certainly doesn’t look like what we expected either. Summit, Call Committee, Growing Young. Regular in-person worship.

In our last parable the notion was the Seed would be rejected by many groups and only find fertile soil in 1/4 of the places its scattered. Our parable for today notes another aspect of the reign of God. The Gospel will be sown in the Sons of God but along with it the Devil will sow sons of unrighteousness.

Parable of the Weeds

I told Chad a story with his blessing. When my son feed the pets and they hear his wrestling around in the pantry they come running. The dog sees the boy place food before him and thinks, “Every day this boy brings me food to eat, he MUST be god.” and the the cat sees the boy place food before him and thinks, “Every day this boy bring me food to eat, I MUST be god.”

Darnel - The hidden weed

The Role of the Servants:

English Standard Version Chapter 9

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

While his men were sleeping

“Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?”

They question the Master when they were asleep. Whether they were supposed to be asleep or simply it was time to be asleep either way their inability to be diligent afforded the enemy the opportunity to sow weeds.

-why do they question the Master? The first assumption isn’t to question their own responsibility but instead His goodness.

“Then do you want us to go and gather them?” / you root up the wheat along with them

-do you want us to fix it? Your job is to nurture growth.

Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

Parable of the Mustard Seed - It grows past explainable expectations

Parable of the Leaven - Its hidden, under the surface, but with total permeation.

Parable of the Weeds - explained to the disciples.

The devil, and all the sin sown in the righteous will be overcome. The plan is set and is in motion. Do not lose hope, hold fast.