Look Closer, Part 7: The Parable of the Weeds

The Backdrop  MATTHEW 13:1-3

Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. ² A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. ³ He told many stories in the form of parables…

The Parable of the Weeds  MATTHEW 13:24-29 (NEW LIVING TRANSLATION)

        ²⁴ Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. ²⁵ But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. ²⁶ When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.
        ²⁷ “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’
        ²⁸ “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.
        “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.
        ²⁹ “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Key Notes:

Three seasons: , , and

The weeds were an act of sabotage

Wheat and weeds grow together… with

The Parable of the Weeds Explained  MATTHEW 13:36-43

        ³⁶ Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”
        ³⁷ Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. ³⁹ The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.
        ⁴⁰ “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”

The Farmer:

The Field:

The Wheat: People of

The Weeds: Anything that God’s Kingdom

The Enemy:

What does Satan sow?

(Mark 3:25)

(1 Peter 5:8-9 and Deuteronomy 31:6)

(John 8:44)

(Titus 1:16)

The Outcome:

Applications

Don’t react to the weeds; respond with (Matthew 13:29-30 and James 1:19)

Discern between and (1 John 4:1)

Don’t fall in love with the (1 John 2:15)

Never lose sight of the (Matthew 13:43)

Small Group Questions

1. What was your favorite childhood bedtime story? Why did you like it?
2. What do you know about weeds? After reading the parable, what is your perspective on weeds?
3. Do you struggle with the idea that wheat (people of God’s Kingdom) and weeds (people opposed to God’s Kingdom) grow together? How do you reconcile this troubling truth?
4. Read the four applications and their supporting scriptures out loud. Which one is God calling you to focus on? Why?
5. Read Matthew 13:43 out loud as well. Why is this outcome important to the lessons of the parable?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?