Parables Series: Part 2 The Weeds
Parable of the Weeds.
his another parable taught by Jesus while in Galilee, it can be found in Matthew 13: 24-33. This is also known as the Parable of the Tares or the Parable of Wheat and Tares. Tares is a kind of weed that looks similar to wheat. We discussed The Parable of the Seeds in Part 1 of this series which focuses on the Kingdom of God which was Jesus’ Good News or Gospel or Gift from God.
Jesus taught that : “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
Key Takeaways
his parable teaches us that evil can be sowed just as the good seeds. It also teaches us that we can grow together with evil people around us (both good and bad growing at the same time). The first parable (The Parable of Seeds) we learn how the devil can take away your chances of receiving the Word of God.
The parable also shows us that the Satan is persistent in his goals. He is a liar and deciever, and no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Now, let`s go through the meaning of this parable:
The Sower
The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man (Jesus Himself - Luke 9:22, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”)
The Field
The field is the world (Good and evil coexist in this world, just as the good wheat and tares grew together).
The Good Seeds
- the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom (Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.)
The Weeds
The weeds are the people of the evil one (The weeds look similar to wheat especially when they are still sprouting / young).
First, who is the evil one? It is Satan who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” John 10:10). John further gives us a clear description of who Satan is, including his children.
Second who are his children? ”You are of your father the devil and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” John 8:44). Today who fits that character? False teachers spreading false/corrupt doctrine, false prophets, Papa’s / Spiritual Fathers (Matthew 23:9), thieves, murderers, rapists, war mongers etc.
The Harvest
The harvest is the end of the age, 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
Revelation 19:11-16, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
The Harvesters
The harvesters are angels.
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
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