Let Both Grow Together Until Harvest
Key Verse 30: “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.””
Summary
This parable teaches us more about the Kingdom of heaven and seems to be a continuation of the parable of the sower from verses 1-23.
In verses 36-43 Jesus explains the parable: A sower (God) sowed good wheat seed (Children of God) in his field (The world). While the servants were sleeping, the enemy (the devil) came and sowed weeds (Children of the devil). The weeds will now grow together with the wheat until the end when the reapers (The Angels) will sort the weeds from the wheat. The weeds will be bound up and burned (Thrown outside the kingdom) and the wheat will be stored in the barn (Inside the kingdom of heaven).
The sower instructs the servants not to uproot the weeds, as they risk uprooting the wheat in the process. We can learn that our focus should be bearing good fruit as opposed to uprooting those whom we identify as weeds, though it is good to be aware of the weeds and the work of the devil in the world.
What is the kingdom of heaven compared to in this parable? What are the good seeds? Where is the field? (36-43)
The field is the world and the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, the children of God. In the beginning God created the garden of Eden and planted Adam and Eve with the intent that they would be fruitful and multiply, but Satan intervened and planted seeds of sin. A division was started and became more apparent through Adam and Eve’s children, specifically the descendants of Cain (Sons of Man) and the descendants of Seth (Sons of God).
V24-25. What did the enemy do? When did the enemy act?
Satan came and sowed weeds among the wheat while the men were sleeping.
What can we learn from this? When the body is sleepy or when people are not watchful and alert, then the enemy has space to act and attack and plant weeds. Satan is very strategic and sneaky and acts secretly and quietly under darkness, and like planting seeds, his actions may not be apparent right away.
Why did the enemy sow weeds? What effect will the weeds have on the wheat? What does this reveal about the work of the enemy?
The enemy wants to harm the wheat and mess up God’s plan and his kingdom.
The weeds will steal nourishment from the wheat.
The weeds may also blend in with the wheat. Some wheat may be uprooted by accident when someone tries to uproot the weeds. This can be one way that the devil is trying to deceive us and get us to make mistakes and harm each other.
Weed and wheat when growing together in the early stages may appear the same to those who don’t know the difference. In this way the devil can deceive those in the world, they desire to grow tall and become a strong plant, but get tricked into thinking weed is the same as wheat.
V26-28. What are the differences between weeds and wheat? When do the servants notice the weeds? How do the servants distinguish the weeds from the wheat?
Weeds and wheat may look the same when growing, but they clearly become distinguishable and separate from each other when the wheat bears fruit.
Matthew 7:15-20 Says “ You will recognize them by their fruits.” and “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” This is how we can distinguish weeds from wheat. This word reminds us of the importance of bearing fruit. We should check ourselves as well, not just look at others…Am I bearing good fruit?
V28-29. Why shouldn't the servants gather the weeds? Why can’t the servants safely uproot the weeds without uprooting the wheat? What are the servants supposed to do?
Servants may harm or uproot the wheat if they try to remove the weeds.
You may prematurely end the life of a wheat stalk and it wont bear its full fruit yield. This happened throughout history with examples like the Spanish Inquisition and even Paul when he was Saul. Religious zealots killed others thinking they were doing the work of God by uprooting those they identified as weeds, but inadvertently killed God’s people (the wheat).
The servants are supposed to let both grow together until harvest. Jesus shows this example when dealing with the Pharisees in Matthew 15:12-14: 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Practically this means that if we see weeds, it is probably best to pray to God (the sower/gardner) to deal with the issue.
V30. When is harvest time? What happens to the weeds and wheat in the end?
Harvest time is the end of the age. The reapers will gather the weeds, bind and burn them. They will gather the wheat and store it in the sower’s barn.
What is the purpose of this parable? What main points does it teach us? What can we learn about the kingdom of heaven?
Be aware of the work of the enemy. Be aware of the weeds. Weeds will grow side by side with wheat until the end. Similar to the idea that we are being sent out as sheep amongst wolves, we should have an accurate, truthful perspective of reality.
Don’t try to uproot the weeds. God’s focus seems to be on the wheat, and not wanting to harm the wheat. Therefore as wheat we should focus on growing and bearing fruit.
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