The Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds, Part 1

Scripture: Matthew 13:36-38

Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 

Insights:  Jesus has left the crowds that were not believers and was now speaking only to those who did believe.  Notice that it is the disciples that ask for the explanation and as we mentioned Monday, they really did need an explanation considering they did not see this mysterious church age ever occurring.  If they had their way, the Lord would burn those weeds right up, right now.  Jesus told them the field represented the world.  Many commentaries say the field represents the church, but it does not.  Jesus knew the word for church and if He wanted the field to represent the church, He would have used that word.  If the field did represent the church, then it would really cause problem with other doctrines taught by the apostles later.  Based on this parable, if the field is the church, then the church would have no right to expose a heretic or deal with sin amidst the Body.  That thought is in contradiction to the Word of God.  If, as it really does mean, the field is the world, then there is no doctrinal confusion.  Jesus explained that He was the sower of the seed and His seed was the children of the kingdom.  Jesus planted Believers into the world at the point in history that He knew they would be the most effective.  You are not here by accident.  You are here to change as many weeds into wheat as you can.  The parable also tells us who the weeds are and who the enemy of the landowner is.  The enemy of the land owner is the evil one, Satan, and his seeds of weeds are lost people.  Beloved, we are to share the gospel with those weeds.  It is important to remember that every human being was a weed before they came to be wheat by the grace of the Lord Jesus.  We must share His love to them! 

Questions:

1. Does it bring you comfort to know that the Lord has placed you in the world at this time in history for a purpose?
2. In what ways are you trying to reach out and share Jesus with the children of Satan?

Prayer: Father, there are times the overwhelming scale of evil in this world seems daunting, but then I am encouraged with Your sovereign hand of timing.  You have placed me in this world for such a time as this to share the love of Jesus with as many people as possible.  May my life bring You glory.  Amen.