SCRIPTURE BY Janice Hall
Scripture Lesson Text: Matthew 13: 24-33
Related Scriptures: Daniel 2:24-47; Matthew 13: 36-43; Mark 4:26-32; Luke 13:18-21
Matthew 13 explains that Jesus now teaches the crowds in parables, partly to fulfill a prophetic statement found in Psalms 78. (Matthew 13:34-35). These teachings are in context of Israel’s response to Jesus’ ministry.
In Daniel 2:24-47, these verses speak of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation. Daniel is ushered into the king’s presence and gives glory to God for revealing the dream. Matthew 13:36-43 portrays how Jesus begins to draw away from the crowds, and goes into a house with His disciples. Later He explains the meanings of the parables of the sower, the weeds, and the fish caught in the net. Then Jesus travels to Nazareth.
Mark 4:26–32, states how Jesus explains that the Word of God works to do God’s perfect will and brings about the growth of the Kingdom of God. In Luke 13: 18-21, Jesus makes a point to say even though God’s kingdom then seemed small and insignificant, He didn’t want His disciples to be fooled into thinking that it wasn’t going to grow.
SYNOPSIS BY Janice Hall
Matthew records Jesus’ second parable concerning the kingdom of heaven. We see the work of an enemy who tried to destroy the work of the man who sowed good seed in his field. The purpose of the enemy was to sow tares among the wheat, which was to destroy the wheat. The wise farmer would not allow the enemy to succeed, so at harvest time the farmer would decide to sort it out. The wheat represented the people of God, showing a corrupt influence may look genuine, even as tares may resemble real wheat.
In today’s lesson there was also the parable of the mustard seed (vs. 31,32). This parable can be another description of corrupt matters in the kingdom community. God’s empire is nevertheless at work, showing a contrast of a small beginning and large culmination. We see in verse 33 another parable of corruption in the kingdom community. In the Bible, leaven is consistently used as a picture of sin and corruption, but in this case it speaks of the expansion of the kingdom and it’s transforming power.
As we have the privilege to embark on this journey with Jesus, we get to experience his words and scenarios and place ourselves there. Week in and week out, we are challenged with the task of working alongside each other to grow God’s kingdom. The blueprint in the Word allows us to be strategic and not only be sent, but to see the state of the world and do our part to bring Jesus in others paths. We have the same physical insight that Jesus had and if we stay in tuned with Him then we will have his heart. We are only fooling ourselves if we don’t think that others need Jesus as bad as we do everyday. So in reality what are we to do?
PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY Olivia Saunders
1 Samuel 16:7, reminds us, “for the man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” We cannot win souls by degrading and judging people, but show biblical principles of God’s will for their lives. Jeremiah 31:3 states, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” Every Christian should have in mind that this is how souls can be saved for the kingdom.
So what can we do when it’s clear that God is drawing us to be a partner with Him to add others to his kingdom? Firstly have compassion, as did Jesus had compassion on those who were deemed unworthy and because of Him their lives were changed. Secondly, remembering where we were, and daily need God’s love, wisdom, and Holy Spirit. Lastly and most importantly pray and be led by God to do His will. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure “( Philippians 2:13 )
