As we look at the life of Jesus, we discover that he knows and understands history like no human ever could. In this story about the wheat and the weeds Jesus gives us an insight into history.
1. JESUS KNOWS THE COURSE OF HISTORY (v24-26)
Jesus told them another parable: “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” (Matthew 13:24-26)
Jesus is saying that he knows the true course of history – and that is, God has been at work sowing good seed.
But Jesus is saying this too. That while God is at work sowing good seed, the enemy has been, and still is at work sowing bad seed – weeds among the wheat.
It’s the age-old story of good vs evil. It’s a battle that has been around since before the dawn of human history.
The point is this. For all its efforts humanity has never, not once, been able to bring a true and lasting peace to our world.
Jesus points out that throughout world history and our own personal histories, evil has been sown, and that (in v28), “an enemy has done this.”
2. JESUS KNOWS THE CLIMAX OF HISTORY
The good news is that not only does Jesus know the course of history, he also knows the climax of history.
“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 might root up 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” (Matthew 13:28-30)
What are some of the evil weeds the Devil has spread into your life?
Jesus knows your personal history – he knows your pain, your shame, your guilt, the rejections you have suffered, he knows your fears.
But Jesus also says that in the climax of history, these evil weeds can be rooted from your life once and for all. Only Jesus’ climax to history deals with the hunger and longing at the core of our very being. Only Jesus’ conclusion to history deals with the problem of evil and the wounds the Evil One has inflicted upon us – and it does this so completely.
3. JESUS KNOWS THE CONSEQUENCES OF HISTORY
By telling this story, Jesus also shows us that he knows the consequences of history.
“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” (Mt 13:30)
This gives us insight into God’s character and also the results of a person’s choices.
a. God’s character
This parable shows us that God is a merciful God. Rather than risk damaging the wheat by getting rid of the weeds at this stage, the farmer (that is, God), decides to wait until the harvest. They will be separated out then.
The parable shows us that God in his mercy does not want to lose any of his children by acting too soon to get rid of evil. To put it plainly, if Jesus were to return to clean up this mess too soon, then there would be many who were not ready for him, and they may be lost with the weeds – God is deeply concerned about the people who are yet to follow him.
b. Our choices
Jesus explains the meaning of the weeds.
The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 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 fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth
(Matthew 13:38b-42).
This is the consequence of a person’s refusal to open his or her life to Jesus Christ.
Next, the fate of the wheat.
Jesus explained the meaning of the wheat in v37-38a.
He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom (Matthew 13:37-38a).
The person who receives Jesus Christ will experience the abundant blessings of God forever.
This is the happiest consequence of history. Which one is going to be your history?
CONCLUSION
Jesus told this story of the wheat and the weeds so that you could see that the course of your own personal history can be changed. God is waiting for you – he is patient – but he won’t wait forever - a day of harvest is coming. So open your life to Jesus, the Master Historian, let him re-write the direction of your life, and you can have a history that will be happy for eternity.
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