Matthew 13

Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:3-9 NIV. “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13: 18-23

The parable of the sower describes four different responses to God’s message.  We should always remain receptive to God’s Word, so that when we hear it or read it, the Holy Spirit can change us from the inside out.  We will then become more like Christ every day.  When we are trying to fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus gave us in Matthew 28:16-20, it is up to us to spread the seed and to tell others about God.  We need to be constantly looking for opportunities to share the Word of God in a loving way.  However, do not become discouraged when the majority of people that you approach are not receptive or even opposed to what you are trying to teach.  Not everyone is ready to hear the truth at the same time.  We need to use discernment and ask God for help in identifying who is ready to hear and discuss the truth about God, and who is not.  Jesus told us “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6).  In this sentence, “dogs” and “pigs” can refer to anyone who is not ready to hear the Word of God, and “pearls” refers to the wisdom of God that we receive after studying the Bible.  Our job is to plant seeds in the hearts and minds of nonbelievers, but it is up to God to cultivate that seed and decide when and if that seed will take root and flourish.

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. 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.’” He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; He did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” Then He left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 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 people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people 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 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. Whoever has ears, let them hear. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” Matthew 13:24-52

In and through these parables, Jesus is trying to explain what the kingdom of heaven is like.  Jesus had previously said “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17).  What, exactly, is the kingdom of heaven?  It is not a physical place, it is a spiritual realm where God rules.  The kingdom of heaven is in our hearts and minds.  When you make the decision to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, your heart becomes God’s domain.  As you grow in faith, that domain grows bigger and bigger.  It expands within you as God reigns more fully each day in your life. It overflows from you to those around you who watch as you live by God’s principles.  Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed.  Among the smallest of all seeds, a mustard seed is only about one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter.  But when it is planted, it can become a mighty tree.  If we are willing to allow the kingdom of heaven to be planted in our hearts, even when our faith, patience, self control, or our own ability to love others is small, it will grow and become stronger over time.  Today, does God truly have reign over your heart?  Is His kingdom of love, peace and joy expanding both in you and through you?

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-56 NIV

This parable is also about the kingdom of heaven, but it reminds us that in addition to the kingdom being a priceless treasure, we are a priceless treasure in God’s eyes.  In this parable, the kingdom of heaven is the merchant (God), who finds a pearl of great value (you and me!).  He sells everything He has to buy the pearl (i.e. gives up His one and only Son in order to redeem us). This is great news!