Session 12
Matthew 13:24-30,36-43
Memory Verse: Matthew 13:40
We always think we can get away with it-that secret sin lying undiscovered. Perhaps it occurred in private or far enough away from home where we think no one knows us. The problem with “successful” sin is we think we can continue doing it. So, we keep on until judgment finally arrives in one form or another.
Nobody who sins thinks he or she will be caught. We think we’re pretty smart. Who’s to know? Well, God does. Scripture says we all have sinned and fallen short of His standard (Rom. 3:23). It declares the result of sin is death, which includes separation from God now and in eternity. The Bible is clear: Judgment is coming. Accountability is inevitable. The good news is that God’s free gift is eternal life through Jesus (Rom. 6:23). As we repent of sin and place our faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness from sin and eternal life with Christ (John 3:16-18; Acts 3:19).
As you study the parables of Jesus in this final session from Matthew 1-13, ask God to help you identify and confess any sins you might be holding in your heart. Also, consider how you can share God’s plan of salvation during this designated evangelism session.
The Great Divide! Every day we find ourselves on one side or the other of the great divide-country music, yes or no? The G.O.A.T. in basketball-Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Broccoli-yes or no? Everywhere you look, people are being divided into one of two groups based on preferences, circumstances, or the whims of others. Sometimes we get to choose on which side we will fall; other times we have no choice. Today’s session speaks of a divide where each has a choice as to where they land. Choose wisely! (PSG, p. 117)
Everyone loves a good story, but Jesus’s parables were more than interesting tales. Fulfilling Psalm 78:2, they challenged His listeners’ hearts and minds with truths about God’s kingdom. Crowds following Jesus didn’t just want to see His miracles. They also wanted to hear Him teach. In this scene, so many came that He had to speak from a boat while the people stood on the shore.
When His disciples asked about the parables, Jesus both explained them and shared why He used them. Some in the crowds did not understand because they were not interested in biblical truth. Others comprehended the teaching, but didn’t apply it to their lives. Jesus used a parable to illustrate this point.
In one familiar parable, Jesus compared people’s hearts to different soils. The seed and the farmer sowing are the same for each soil, but the results depended on the condition of the ground. Jesus explained how some people have hard hearts while others are shallow. Still more are hampered by worldliness. Some, though, are good soil, receiving the seed and yielding an increase.
Another parable compared the kingdom to a field that yielded both wheat and weeds. Early on, it was hard to tell them apart. But in time, the weeds became apparent, and the workers could cut them down and burn them up. The good wheat, representing believers, was gathered for the farmer’s use. This principle of separating the good from the bad also is seen in a parable describing fish caught in a net. The bad fish were cast aside while the good fish were gathered in. Both parables point to a coming judgment in which believers are blessed while those who reject Christ experience eternal punishment.
Another pair of parables illustrate how God’s kingdom appears to be small and insignificant. The kingdom may seem as tiny as a mustard seed, but it grows strong and mighty. Similarly, the kingdom can act like a little yeast that makes a small lump of dough rise into a delicious loaf.
Two other parables also point to a single application. In one, a treasure found in a field motivates the excited discoverer to sell everything and buy that field for the prize. In the second story, a merchant finds a single pearl of great value. He too sells everything he owns so he can obtain that one priceless object. Both stories emphasize the invaluable nature of God’s kingdom.
Unfortunately, not everyone was thrilled about Jesus’s teaching. As He spoke in His home synagogue at Nazareth, residents wondered how this could be the carpenter’s son, the boy they had watched grow up. Jesus knew a prophet never lacks honor except among those who think they know Him best.
Read Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 in your Bible. What spiritual truth do you think Jesus was illustrating with this parable? (PSG, p. 118)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
24 He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left.
26 When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared. 27 The landowner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?’ 28 ‘An enemy did this,’ he told them. ‘So, do you want us to go and pull them up?’ the servants asked him.
29 ‘No,’ he said. ‘When you pull up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.’”
As the Master Teacher, Jesus used stories known as parables to connect His listeners with spiritual truth. With an agricultural illustration, He shared another parable that His listeners could grasp. “Parable” translates a term that means “laid alongside.” These stories set an everyday occurrence (like farming) alongside a spiritual truth to illustrate the point.
Like other parables in Matthew 13, this one illustrates the kingdom of heaven. Matthew used the phrase “kingdom of heaven” while Mark and Luke preferred “kingdom of God.” Both terms apply to the reign of God now and in the future.
In this parable, a farmer sowed good seed in his field. “His field” indicates that this man owned the field. Meanwhile, “sowing” emphasizes his labor, and “good seed” points to his quality investment.
However, the landowner had an enemy. Using the pronoun his specifies how the devil is the personal enemy of Christ. Just like Satan, this enemy came when individuals were sleeping or had their guard down. He sowed weeds among the wheat. The strategy was to mix a counterfeit product among the good seed.
No one noticed what had happened until the plants sprouted. As expected, the good seed produced grain. But the weeds also appeared. The Greek wording describes a kind of wild grass that resembles wheat in the early stages of growth. Similarly, godly and ungodly people populate the same community. They may look similar on the outside; but, in time, each one manifests its true nature (1 John 3:10).
When the weeds were discovered, the servants notified the landowner. Notice they acknowledged the landowner as their Master. The field belonged to him, and he had sown good seed. All should have proceeded well.
Naturally, they had a question: Where did the weeds come from? Since the landowner planted good seed in good soil, the source of weeds was obvious: an enemy did this. Like the weeds among the wheat, one of Satan’s strategies involves substituting imitations for the real thing. Fake doctrine. Fake pleasures. Fake believers.
The servants’ immediate response was to pull them up. As with their previous interactions with the landowner, they posed their ideas in the form of questions. Sometimes, well intentioned believers come up with solutions to problems without considering the Master’s will or His wisdom. We need to seek God’s direction before acting.
The landowner wisely knew the dangers of acting prematurely, so he told them to wait. He didn’t want them to uproot the wheat accidentally while attempting to pull up the weeds.
Our Lord is more patient than we are. The landowner told the servants to wait until the harvest. Judgment would come in its time. When the proper season arrived, the ones doing the reaping could gather the weeds and tie them in bundles to burn. Believers will also be gathered; but unlike the wheat collected into a barn, they will dwell in the Master’s house forever (John 14:2).
We must examine our own faith as we wait for Jesus’s return. True believers need not fear judgment. The righteous Judge will grant them rewards just as He imposes the penalty of sin on those who do not believe (2 Tim. 4:8).
EXPLORE THE TEXT
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He replied, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world; and the good seed-these are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.”
Spiritual curiosity is one characteristic of believers. Nobody among the crowds asked Jesus for an explanation of His parables. Only later did his disciples seek answers. The house is the same one mentioned at the beginning of this chapter.
Away from the crowd, Jesus’s disciples approached him. They took the initiative in learning more. They wanted a better understanding of what the stories meant, so they asked Jesus to explain the parable of the weeds. To their credit, they had been listening; and, to their credit, they came to Jesus with their questions.
As noted, parables compare something familiar with a spiritual truth. In this case, the one who sows the good seed, the landowner, was the Son of Man. Jesus often used this messianic title when referring to Himself. While on the earth, Jesus sowed kingdom seed wherever He went. When He returned to heaven, He appointed His disciples with the task of being His witnesses (Acts 1:8). Through the centuries, each generation of believers bears the commission to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). At each point, Christ is the One producing the results.
The field signifies the world. “World” can have several meanings. Here, it applies to the world population. The good seed represented the children of the kingdom. Christ’s gospel was never intended for just one people group. His followers should be working throughout the world, encouraging people to respond to His message of salvation. This application differs from the parable of the sower, where the seed is God’s Word. Here, it represents the results of the Word in the lives of those who accept Christ.
In contrast, the weeds correspond to the children of the evil one. Many mistakenly believe that everyone is a child of God. While we all are God’s creation and carry His image (Gen. 1:26-27), only those who are born again through faith in Jesus become God’s children. When Jesus confronted His adversaries who claimed Abraham as their father, He said they were actually children of the devil (John 8:39-44). This does not mean the devil was involved in procreation, but that they were the result of Satan’s work.
Some writers suggest the parable of the wheat and weeds addresses the presence of genuine and false believers in the church. It is true that some in the church profess Christ but have never truly surrendered to Him by faith. However, Jesus identified the field as the world at large, not the church. It is best to interpret the elements of the parable as Jesus described them.
The enemy was the devil. Whenever we encounter evil in the world, we need to identify the correct adversary. The enemy (Satan) sowed corrupt seed that resulted in weeds (children of the evil one). Each person has to make the choice between trusting Christ as Savior and continuing in sin. Putting off the response to Christ means risking eternity without Jesus, without God, and without hope (Eph. 2:12).
Jesus promised a harvest at the end of the age. This phrase refers to Christ’s return and the final judgment of the world. Looking forward to the end times does not minimize the immediate judgment that occurs at death, but it does remind us that judgment awaits everyone at some point. Jesus identified the harvesters as angels who participate in the gathering.
We need to recognize that not all who claim a relationship with Jesus are genuine believers. Churches need to exercise discernment in receiving and disciplining members. Proper counseling can help ensure individuals joining a church have truly repented of sin and received Christ by faith. If members exhibit habitual sin, proper church discipline can encourage true Christians to repent (see Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-12;
2 Cor. 2:5-11; 2 Thess. 3:14-15).
EXPLORE THE TEXT
40 “Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let anyone who has ears listen.”
Jesus concluded with a warning and a promise. End of the age refers to the final era before Christ’s judgment. It will be delightful for saints but terrifying for non-believers. Jesus compared the destiny of the lost to the weeds that were gathered and burned in the fire. Many people don’t like to think about the graphic images in this analogy, but ignoring the truth can lead to greater harm for unbelievers.
As the Son of Man, Jesus will one day send out his angels into the world. Angels have numerous functions in Scripture. They serve as messengers (Luke 1:26-38), warriors (2 Kings 19:35), protectors (Ps. 34:7), ministering spirits (Heb. 1:14), and more. Here, they carry out Christ’s judgment. Notice they are “His” angels. He has the sovereign authority to send them out to accomplish His will.
At Christ’s command, angels will gather from his kingdom all unbelievers. This does not suggest that unbelievers are part of God’s kingdom in the same way as believers. Instead, Jesus emphasized His rule over all the world. The Greek wording for “gather” means to pluck, just like the weeds were plucked from among the wheat.
Those gathered are described in two ways: those who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness. These terms do not identify distinct kinds of sinners but jointly describe the extent of their transgression. The Greek wording expresses continual action and indicates that they lead others into evil. Their actions not only violate God’s commandments but demonstrate disregard and disdain for it.
The angels will throw them into the blazing furnace. Judgment involves a forceful act of casting unbelievers into this terrible place. The furnace portrays a lake of fire prepared originally for Satan and his followers (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10-15). This torment is a real place with real suffering, as seen in the anguish of weeping and gnashing of teeth.
God does not delight in sending anyone to hell. That’s why He took the ultimate step of sending His only Son to die in our place (John 3:14-18). Those who accept Him as Savior will not perish, but they will have eternal life. Unfortunately, many will reject Him and spend eternity experiencing His wrath.
Once the unrighteous are removed, genuine Christ followers will shine like the sun. They won’t be righteous because they kept certain rules but because they entered their Father’s kingdom. The phrase “their Father” emphasizes the personal relationship they have with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Each day of believers’ lives can be spent in close fellowship with their heavenly Father. At death, each person who receives Jesus as Savior goes immediately into His presence (John 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:8). Ultimately, they will enjoy the Lord’s presence alongside believers who are alive at Christ’s return (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
Jesus urged the disciples’ to pay attention to His words: Let anyone who has ears listen. They needed to take what He had said with utmost seriousness. Likewise, we can trust that Jesus will have the final word and that He will judge righteously. His death and resurrection provided atonement for sin.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 126 of the Personal Study Guide:
On the board, list the images Jesus used in the parable (wheat, weeds, enemy, landowner, harvest, and so forth). Allow adults to explain what each image symbolizes and why that image is important. Direct attention to the summary statement for this session: Faith in Jesus determines our eternal destiny. Encourage the group to discuss the statement and share what God might be saying to them through that truth.
Direct attention to the second set of questions on page 126 of the PSG. Challenge adults to reflect silently on the fruit from their own lives and how they can point others toward Jesus more effectively.
Close the session in prayer, asking God to help each adult move deeper in their relationship with Him, including those who may be reaching out to Him for the first time. Pray that the group will have discernment as they act as wheat and seek to minister to weeds before Jesus comes back.
Send a text or email to the group, encouraging them to read and reflect on the first set of questions on page 126 of the PSG. Also remind them that you are available to talk with anyone who wants to know more about becoming a follower of Jesus. Share that the group will be starting a series of studies on the second half of Matthew’s Gospel (chaps. 14-28) during the next session.
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. (See Matthew 16:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3.)
Read, reflect on, and react emotionally to a Bible verse.
Focus on Matthew 13:40-42. Read the verses aloud, emphasizing the actions of the angels. Then read the verses again, emphasizing the responses of those “guilty of lawlessness.” How do these verses make you feel? How do they motivate you to share Christ’s gospel?