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Leg 2 Day 27
A Sense of Urgency
Jesus Among Us
Scripture:
Matthew 13:36-43
MATTHEW 13:36–43 (NLT)
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.”
Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. 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. 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.
“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
Life Lessons from Jesus:
Once they were alone and away from the crowds, Jesus took the time to explain to His disciples in detail the meanings behind many of His parables. As we have noted, although Jesus may offer His instruction in bits and pieces or withhold something for a while when we’re not yet ready for it, He wants to make Himself known to us so that we can follow Him completely and know Him fully.
Jesus says that when He returns in His second coming, there will be a day of reckoning. The angels will go throughout the world and remove “everything that causes sin and all who do evil.” Like the weeds separated from the wheat in an agricultural harvest, everyone and everything that causes people to fall, that goes against God, will be gathered up, taken out of this world, and be subjected to God’s judgment.
Knowing that we live in a world crowded with weeds, it does give us a sense of urgency to help those around us to shine brighter, to be kinder, to be encouraging, and to guide with love. It’s not about condemning people or forcing them to follow our instructions. It’s about loving them and planting the seeds for their own change of heart.
The WAY:
Consider these questions as you reflect on today’s reading:
In Jesus’s explanation of the parable, who plants the good seed, and when is the harvest?
How can you show more of God’s love and shine brighter to illuminate His truth to those around you?
Which truths stand out to you most from Jesus’s teachings so far in your Life Along the Way?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for providing a way for me to be forgiven of my sin and have an eternal future with You. I pray that Your goodness and love will shine through me and bring more people to You. In Your name, amen.