Our scripture this week is Matthew 13:31-43.
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.”
Jesus came to share the joy that a relationship with God brings. He wanted the whole world to know, but He wanted us to carry the Good News. That meant He had to teach us in ways we would understand. The stories we hear from the scriptures were intended for people that Jesus knew then; what sort of parables do you think He would share today?
I’m sure Jesus would find something that spoke to a majority of us, depending on our background. He would have examples that reached young and old, metro and rural, the comfortable and the struggling. Each of us would hear something that was familiar, but also something to ask Him questions about.
The disciples asked Jesus to explain the Parable of the Weeds to them that they might better understand its meaning. By asking in prayer and sharing in discussion with our brothers and sisters, we can also gain new meaning and guidance from the scriptures. Jesus wants us to be the ones to bring the story of God’s love to others but we must listen and learn first. “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matt. 13:43).
Loving Lord, we need Your love to save us and Your word to guide us. Help us to hear and understand that we may take the Good News to every corner of the earth. Amen.