St Louis UBF UBF Bible Study : Matthew 13:53-14:21

Bible Study Materials

Matthew 13:53-14:21

by Paul Choi 08/09/2015

Question

The Kingdom of God is like

Matthew 13:24-43

Though a man sowed good seed, what happened to his field (24-28a)? Why didn't they pull up the weeds (28-30)? What does this suggest about the kingdom of heaven, the enemy’s work, and the nature of the King?
How is the kingdom of heaven like a mustard seed (31-32)? How is it like yeast (33)? What can we learn here? Why did Jesus teach the crowd using parables (34-35)? How were the disciples different (36; 11-12)?
How did Jesus explain the parable of the weeds (37-39)? At the end of the age, how does the Son of Man deal with evildoers and the righteous (40-43)? What hope does this give to those who have ears to hear?

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Message

The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like

Matthew 13:24-43

Key Verse:13:43 “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

In the previous lecture Jesus taught us what kind of attitude we should have toward God’s words through the Parable of the Sower. We heard the wonderful messages, testimonies, world mission reports, and words of God through group Bible studies during the last Bible conference. If you heard God’s words with joy at that time, but have forgotten everything by now, your heart is like rocky soil. If you received God’s words as your own, but came back to the daily life with anxiety and doubt, your heart is like thorny soil. If you heard God’s words and hold one promise of God in your heart and struggle to obey it, your heart is good soil which produces a crop of 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown. Examine your heart to see which one you have now.

Jesus’ teaching about the parable of the Kingdom of Heaven continues today. In verses 24-52 Matthew introduces Jesus’ teaching with three pairs of parables of the kingdom of heaven; the Parables of the Weeds and the Net, the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast, and the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl. All these parables teach us the characteristic of the kingdom of heaven. Today we’ll study about the Parable of the Weeds and the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast.

Part I, the Parable of the Weeds (24-30, 37-43)

Look at verses 24-30. “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 servant 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 barn.’” Jesus taught this parable to the crowd. Then Jesus’ disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” (36) These days there are many interpretations about this parable. Some use this parable for their own ministry doctrine. But we must pay attention to Jesus’ explanation and accept it as truth. Jesus is the author of this parable and he is also the interpreter. The interpretation by the author is most reliable and authentic.

Look at verses 37-42. “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.” The main focus in this parable is not a man who sowed, but the condition of the field, which is the characteristic of the kingdom of heaven. The man who sowed the good seed is Jesus, the Son of Man. The field is the world. The good seeds are the people of the kingdom, and the weeds are evil people. The enemy who sowed the weeds is the devil, Satan. And at the harvest, at the end of the age, Jesus will send his angels to this world, and the angels will throw all the evil people into the blazing fire while they will bring the people of God into his kingdom. When we meditate on Jesus’ explanation, we understand that Jesus was talking about his second coming and the final judgment. Jesus was warning about the impending judgment of God through this parable.

In the eschatological viewpoint this parable teaches us three things to which we must pay attention and apply. First of all, we must prepare for the day of God’s final judgment. These days people don’t like to hear the word ‘judgment’ or ‘hell.’ Even some church pastors don’t teach about God’s judgment, but only teach blessing and prosperity. They defy God’s divine nature of righteousness by saying, “How does a loving God punish good people?” It is true that God is love, but there are no good people on this earth. (Ro 3:11, 23) While living on this earth [?] people pay the price of their own evil doing, which is death. (Ro 6:23a) [Do you mean to say that the payment for our sin is only made while living on this earth?] The Bible clearly warns of God’s divine judgment after death. Hebrews 9:27 says, “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” To our surprise, people believe that they all die someday, but barely believe that they will face judgment. As all men die, so all men will be judged. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Romans 2:6-8 says, “God will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” As people cannot avoid the day of death, so also they cannot escape from the day of judgment. As we cannot stop the rising sun by our own will, so also we cannot change our destiny.

Jesus often predicted his second coming and the day of final judgment in Matthew’s gospel. (Mt 18:32, 20:1-16, 21:33-41, 22:1-14, 24:27-31, 25:1-46) In chapter 24 Jesus illustrates the signs of the end of the age. Jesus said that he would come on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.(24:30) At that time, Jesus will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (24:31) To those on his left, the King will say, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (25:41) Jesus clearly stated the existence of hell. Jesus said that no one knows the day or the hour of his coming. (24:36) He said that he will come like a thief. (24:43) Jesus said in 24:44, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” As we do not know the day of our death, so we do not know the day of Jesus’ coming. So we must prepare for Jesus’ second coming and the day we stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Second, we must protect the good seed, the people of God’s kingdom. In his parable, the servants of the field acknowledged the appearance of the weeds and its harmful disturbance to the growth of the wheat. So, the owner’s servants offered to pull up the weeds. But, the owner of the field forbade them to do so in order to protect the young wheat. When both the wheat and the weeds are young, it is difficult to distinguish them because botanically they are very close. In addition, under the ground the roots of the two plants entangle themselves around each other. So, while the servants are pulling the weeds, they may uproot the wheat with them.(29) The owner told his servants to wait until the day of harvest. Let them grow together until the harvest. The two plants are then identifiable and the wheat is strong enough to remain. At harvest time, the servants will collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned, then gather the wheat and bring it into his barn. (30)

How can we protect the good seed, the people of God’s kingdom? Like the owner of the field we must wait with patience until the people of God grow mature. The field is the world. The field is our heart, too. As the man sowed the good seed in his field, God made man in his image and his likeness in the beginning. Man inherited God’s holy image and good nature. But, the enemy Satan tempted man, and sowed sinful nature and evil desire in man’s heart. Cain was filled with evil desires. Even though men sinned against God, God did not kill them. God protected the Garden of Eden and preserved the tree of life so that men could have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Our God is righteous. He blesses those who do good and punishes those who do evil. He is also a merciful God. He has compassion on those who are weak and sick. He will not break the bruised reed and snuff out the smoldering wick. Because of our one good deed, God forgives our nine wrong doings. Our God always sees our good and strong points and encourages us to grow in his divine nature. God waits patiently until we grow mature and live as a holy people of God. For example, Abraham in the Bible made many mistakes and repeated the spiritual ups and downs like a rollercoaster even after he had been called by God. Despite his human weaknesses God always stood on Abraham’s side and waited until he became mature enough to be a father of faith. God waited 25 years until Abraham grew to be the father of many nations. God also waited with patience until Jacob was changed from a physical man into a spiritual man. God did so because he is the God of hope.

We protect the children of God’s kingdom by encouraging them by the words of God. We encourage their good points and wait until their good points bear fruit. With great patience and hope we always trust, always hope, and always encourage them so that our enemy Satan may not discourage them or accuse them. I have two different yards at two different apartments, one of which has a good grass yard, while the other has all kinds of weeds. In the good grass yard there is no space for the weed to sprout because the density of the grass. On the other hand, the bad yard has mud, holes, and rocks which provide spaces for the weeds to grow. As long as the field is filled with many good plants, there is no space for the weeds to grow. In the same way, as long as we struggle to grow in God’s divine nature and his holy image, we will not leave any space for Satan to sow the weeds in our hearts.

We also protect the people of God’s kingdom from false teachings and false prophets. Who are false teachers and false prophets? They are those who say that there is no judgment or no hell. As we cannot distinguish the weed from the wheat in their initial stage, we don’t realize the harmfulness of the false teachings at the beginning. But since the children of God’s kingdom are deceived or destructed by the false teachings, the damage will be great in the future. We must encourage the people of the Kingdom to stand firm on the gospel faith, believe Jesus’ word, and follow the word of the truth.

Third, we must persevere until the harvest. The situation of the field is that the wheat has to grow together with the weeds until the harvest. The weeds take away water and nutrition from the wheat. The weeds choke the wheat and disturb its growth. The people of God’s kingdom suffer much from evil people. But the wheat must persevere through this adverse situation. While the people of the kingdom live on this earth, we receive challenges, persecutions, and experience many troubles from this world. How wonderful it will be if only we people of God live on this earth without evil people! But, we children of God have to live together with them. Jesus prayed to God the Father that he might not take his disciples out of the world, but protect them from this world. (Jn 17:15) We must admit that we live among the weeds. We live with all kinds of people. We need perseverance and patience when we live in this co-existing world of both the wheat and the weeds.

In this parable of the weeds as well as the parable of the net in verses 47-50, Jesus teaches us how the kingdom can be present in the world, while not yet wiping out all opposition. We must await the harvest. This parable deals with eschatological expectation, not ecclesiological deterioration. (Expositor’s Bible Commentary; D. A. Carson) I pray that we may prepare for the harvest time, protect the good seeds, and persevere among the weeds. Amen.

Part II, the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast (31-35)

The author Matthew inserted the parable of the mustard seed between the parable of the sower and the parable of the weeds. This is because they are all related to seed. What is the parable of the mustard seed? Look at verses 31,32. “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.” This parable teaches us a characteristic of the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven grows and become mature. Have you ever seen the mustard seed? Maybe Bo has seen it? The mustard seed is as small as a dot. But, when it is planted, it grows to be the largest of garden plants, up to 10-12 feet high so that the birds come and perch in its branches. Likewise, the kingdom of heaven grows and become big.

Jesus told another parable, the parable of the yeast. Look at verses 33. “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.” The differences between the two parables are uncertain; maybe different genders and places; one is for a man in the field and the other is for a woman at home, and so on. The similarity between the two is obvious. The seed and the yeast both start with small beginnings, but finish with a huge end.

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. It starts with tiny, humble, and insignificant beginning. But, the seed grows and becomes a large plant and even a big tree. This is possible because the seed has life and the power to grow. Indeed the kingdom of heaven starts with a baby Jesus, who was born in a manger. When Jesus was born, the whole world did not recognize him except for a few in the Bible. The good news of the kingdom of God started in Galilee, the smallest town in one of the smallest countries in the world. Jesus preached the message of the kingdom of heaven. The good news of the kingdom of heaven spread and was delivered by word of mouth and soon, it covered Jerusalem, all Judea, and Samaria, and has now spread to the whole world.

Before a few American and Canadian missionaries arrived to the land of Korea at the end of 19th century, Korea was one of the most remote and secluded countries in the world. But the missionaries sowed the seed of the gospel into the hearts of Korean people and watered them with prayer. 135 years since they started in the country, Korea has now became the number two missionary sending Christian country in the world next to America. Our church UBF is also one of the fruits of the early missionaries’ prayer and work. UBF church started with small group Bible studies and prayer meetings in a small college in Kwangju Korea. The kingdom of heaven worked in the hearts of young college students and spread to other colleges and cities until whole campuses and cities in Korea were evangelized by the gospel of Jesus Christ. That seed spread to Asia and Europe in the 1970s, USA and Canada in the 1980s, Africa, Russia, and Latin America in the 1990s, and now to every corner of the world.

The kingdom of heaven has transforming power like the yeast. The work of yeast in dough is unnoticeable because it is a chemical function. But the message of the kingdom of heaven changes sinners into saints, the selfish tax collector Levi into St. Matthew, a smelly fisherman Simon into the great Apostle St. Peter, a fatalistic and sentimental artist into a powerful servant of God’s word, and so on. We cannot change anyone. We cannot change even ourselves. But, the seed of the kingdom of heaven has power to change, transform, and grow. This is the reason Jesus called one sinner after another and taught them the word of God until they became great men and women of faith in human history.

Whoever accepts the gospel of Christ has hope to grow and vision to change the world. As we saw and heard the mission report from Ison Hong, a UBF missionary in Malaysia, during the last Bible Conference, the kingdom of heaven starts with a man with God’s own heart, who eagerly seeks God’s kingdom first. Who knows the young man’s future? Who knows whether God will change Malaysia through Ison Hong as he changed Korea through several American and Canadian missionaries? Who knows Michael Lanier’s future with his fiancé? Who knows Peter Pei and Bo’s future for China? Who knows Hanna Park and Luke Yang Jr.’s future in Saint Louis University this coming semester?

Remember the seed of joy and hope of God’s kingdom which is planted in your hearts. It grows, spreads to your whole body, influences others, and as the result the kingdom of God expands in each person, each family, all colleges, and the whole nation. Then, you will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father in heaven. (43) Whoever has ears, let them hear. Let us read verse 43. “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Amen. Let us pray.

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