The Motley Crew

April 28, 2010

 

Matthew 13:18-30

The Questions

 

Read Matthew 13:18-23

1. Ultimately, who is our struggle against?

 

2. Why would trouble or persecution come because of the Word?

 

3. “Worries of this life” and “deceitfulness of wealth.” Does anybody feel choked by either one of these?

 

4. What is a “crop”?

 

Read Matthew 13:24-30

5. What is the difference between the good seed and the weeds?

 

6. The Concordia Study Bible says Jesus is not talking about unbelievers in the church? What do you think?

 

7. How would you feel if an enemy sowed weeds in your field?

 

8. What does this say about God settling His accounts?

 

9. How do you feel about weeds getting to grow for so long before anything is done about them?

 

10. What can we do about it?

 

 

 

 

The Motley Crew

April 28, 2010

 

Matthew 13:18-30

Some Suggested Answers

 

We opened with prayer.

 

Read Matthew 13:18-23

The Meaning of the Parable of the Sower

18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

 

Also found in Mark 4:14-20 & Luke 8:11-15

 

1. Ultimately, who is our struggle against?

 

satan.

 

But while we have an enemy, we are not without protection.

 

Ephesians 6:12-13:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

In his Sermon for the Sunday After Ascension Day, Luther wrote:

These are the two kinds of armor, two weapons of defense, whereby the devil is vanquished and of which he is afraid: First, diligence in hearing, learning and practicing the Word of God, that instruction, comfort and strength may be received; second, sincere petitioning upon the authority of that Word, a crying and calling to God for help when temptations and conflicts arise. One or the other of these weapons of defense must continually be in active exercise, effecting perpetual intercourse between God and man — either God speaking to us while we quietly listen, or God hearing our utterances to him and our petitions concerning our needs.

Whichever the weapon we wield, it is unendurable to the devil; he cannot abide it. Christians need both equipments, that their hearts may ever turn to God, cleave to his Word, and continually, with ceaseless longing, pray a perpetual Lord's Prayer.

Source: John Nicholas Lenker, ed., Luther's Epistle Sermons - Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost. Vol. II (Vol VIII of Luther's Complete Works) (Minneapolis: The Luther Press, 1909).

The importance of prayer cannot be understated. To be clear: we are in the fight of our lives. Our opponent is Satan, who has thousands of years of experience in stealing souls, and he wants mine and yours, too! But true prayer is anathema to Satan and “it is only by praying that we can vex the devil,” says Luther. Satan cannot abide prayer, and he therefore uses several tricks to get us to avoid it. First, and most commonly, the devil suggests that it is not a good time to pray. The second obstacle the devil regularly presents is to remind people of their sinfulness. The third way the devil attacks prayer is to make the believer doubt that God actually hears or wants to answer. And in this manner, Satan achieves his victory.

Douglas Anderson, Preface to Luther's Writings On Prayer: A Selection (Unpublished, 2010), citing Martin Luther, “Sermons on the Gospel of St. John,” Luther's Works, Vol. 24: 385-6.

 

2. Why would trouble or persecution come because of the Word?

 

The world is contrary to the Word, and so the persecution of the Word comes from the World. There's not so much persecution when preaching in Decatur, Alabama … at least not on this stretch of Carridale Street … but it's helpful to be preaching to one's flock. Of course, that's not true everywhere in the world in 2010 or any other time.

 

1 Corinthians 1:18: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

As for the Pharisees, the trouble comes because Christ and His followers are upsetting the apple cart, messing up their cushy deal, and they certainly will do what they can to protect their status in the community, as well as their source of financial support.

 

Isaiah 55:11-13:

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

 

12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

 

13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."

 

3. “Worries of this life” and “deceitfulness of wealth.” Does anybody feel choked by either one of these?

 

Not so much, with this group. By putting the worries of life in the hands of God, one said that she felt that these troubles were avoided, a sentiment that many agreed with.

 

Likewise, another said that when his plans are in accord with God's plans, then things follow more smoothly. But when he tries to take control, things go poorly until he re-conforms his will to that of the Father.

 

One pointed out that she felt “choked” when she began to fear, but not when she let God take care of things for her.

 

God's hand is often seen, but sometimes retrospect.

 

One mentioned that he felt stressed first thing in the morning when there seems to be so much to be done, but by evening, it was seen that not everything had the same level of importance.

 

Another mentioned that when these feelings begin to crop up, she reminds herself that God is in charge, and to keep relaxed … and that there's probably a life lesson coming.

 

Another said that since he can't control it, he gives it to God. Over the years, he's found that he can bang his head against the wall, but it's best just to wait for God to open the door. (Psalm 37:7 – Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him). God has made the promise, and He will fulfil it.

 

The parts of a boat won't float, but the boat will.

 

Now we know in part, then will we know fully (1 Cor. 13:12)

The Seed That Falls Among The Thorns:

How easy it is to agree with Christ with no intention of obeying. It is easy to denounce worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth, and still do nothing to change our ways. Life Application Study Bible.

 

4. What is a “crop”?

 

Happiness is when the crop comes in in the fall, although there's still a lot of work to do. There is also happiness in on the 4th of July; we can see the crop coming, but about all we can do at that point is to hope.

 

We need to work hard to plant the seed, but then all we can do is stand back and wait until it's time for the harvest.

 

On a sunny day, one old farmer was asked whether it was good for the crop. “The sun is good for the crop,” he said. The next day it rained, and when he was asked, he said “The rain is good for the crop, too.”

 

Good Works done now will bear fruit later. We never know when a smile or a kind word is exactly the Seed that was needed to be sown at this time.

 

A crop is planted when we're faithful to the Word.

 

This is a process that we just have to work through.

 

The ravines will always be there, but over time, we find that our faith helps us more easily climb out and drive on with life.

 

The Seed is good; it can grow almost anywhere.

Jesus explains the parable of the sower for His disciples. He wants them to understand that as they go out and preach the Gospel, not all the seed they sow will produce fruit. But what keeps a farmer sowing and the disciple proclaiming is Jesus' promise that some seed will produce a wonderful harvest. The lesson for us is obvious: the blessing of God's kingdom comes through the seed of God's Word. Lutheran Study Bible.

 

This parable should encourage spiritual “sowers” – those who teach, preach, and lead others. The farmer sowed good seed, but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying yields. Don't be discouraged if you do not always see results as you faithfully teach the Word. Belief cannot be forced to follow a mathematical formula. Rather, it is a miracle of God's Holy Spirit as He uses your words to lead others to Him. Life Application Study Bible.

 

Read Matthew 13:24-30

The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

28 " 'An enemy did this,' he replied.
"The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

29 " 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 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 my barn.' "

Also found in Mark 4:26-29

 

5. What is the difference between the good seed and the weeds?

 

Believers vs. unbelievers.

 

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“ Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
And whose hope is the LORD.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

 

6. The Concordia Study Bible says Jesus is not talking about unbelievers in the church? What do you think?

 

One said that if they are professing members of the church, he felt that they are the wheat. Another pointed out that, as always, the fruits will show. In any case, Our Lord will make the final determination. Luther and the Life Application Study Bible seem to have the opinion that this can apply to the church, as well as the world.

 

Matthew 12:33-35:

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

 

… this Gospel teaches how we should conduct ourselves toward these heretics and false teachers. We are not to uproot nor destroy them. Here he says publicly let both grow together. We have to do here with God’s Word alone; for in this matter he who errs today may find the truth tomorrow. Who knows when the Word of God may touch his heart? But if he be burned at the stake, or otherwise destroyed, it is thereby assured that he can never find the truth; and thus the Word of God is snatched from him, and he must be lost, who otherwise might have been saved. Hence the Lord says here, that the wheat also will be uprooted if we weed out the tares. That is something awful in the eyes of God and never to be justified. Martin Luther, “Sermon for the Fifth Sunday After Epiphany.” John Nicholas Lenker, The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther. Volume 11. 14 Volumes (Minneapolis: Lutherans In All Lands, 1909), p. 102.

 

At the end of the world, angels will separate the evil from the good. There are true and false believers in churches today, but we should be cautious in our judgments because only Christ is qualified to make the final separation. If you start judging, you may damage some of the good “plants.” It's more important to judge our own response to God than to analyze others' responses. Life Application Study Bible.

 

7. How would you feel if an enemy sowed weeds in your field?

 

Not real happy when the neighbor's dandelion's go to seed and spread out all over your lawn.

The master does not seem overly upset by what his enemy has done and shows great patience in delaying until the harvest the separation of weeds from wheat. He warns his servants not to judge prematurely by assuming they can distinguish between these plants. A mark of God's rule is His patience. For us sinners, this is a great comfort and also an encouragement for us to endure evil patiently. Lutheran Study Bible.

 

8. What does this say about God settling His accounts?

 

Patience.

 

God is waiting to see if there's a change of heart, that unbelievers will repent, as did the thief on the cross.

 

Are people “weeds” in our lives? Not so much. It's a different context. We are here to act as a transformation for unbelievers. We're the yeast showing others the way to the Word in the world.

 

9. How do you feel about weeds getting to grow for so long before anything is done about them?

 

This has come up in the past. At that time, there was some frustration when we see evil-doers in the world, and we'd really like to see justice done at the end of the day rather than at the end of time.

 

But this is God's decision that we must be obedient to. And, similar to a thought expressed in the answer to question 8, the purpose is to give them as much time as possible to find Christ.

 

The servants propose to do what was ordinarily done, and is still done [in Palestine]. Christ answers with an emphatic “no.” The roots being intertwined, and having a firm hold of the soil, both wheat and tares might be pulled up together. This parable embodies the great principle of bad men being tolerated for the sake of the good. Nicoll, p. 200.

 

The execution of judgment on the wicked in this world does not belong to the servants of Christ. He will accomplish it by the angels of His power, to whom He commits the execution of this work. John Darby.

 

10. What can we do about it?

 

Continue to sow the Word. Continue to be the yeast in the lives of others. Remember the Good Thief. Remember that God pays the wages at the end of the day, whether the worker began early in the day or late in the day. Make the call. Share a smile or a good word.

 

If you think that you need to write or call somebody, that might be a whisper in your ear from God. Be one of those that work in all things.

Let no one therefore be offended at the Gospel, though it encounters much opposition: the cause of this are the wicked and malicious hearts, in which the devil rules. It is not the fault of the seed if it does not grow by the way-side, or upon the rock, or among the thorns. Be not troubled at such failures, but let each one diligently see to it that he possesses this seed; yea, let us all implore God's mercy that the heart may be prepared to receive and to retain the Word in patience, so that we may be saved through faith in Christ, which the Holy Spirit implants in us by means of the Word and the Holy Sacraments. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ grant this unto all of us! Amen. Luther, Sermon on Sexagesima Sunday (Hauspostille).

We closed with prayer.

 

 

Now to the King eternal,
immortal, invisible, the only God,
be honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17 (New International Version)

 

 

 

Parallel Sections in Matthew 13

 

Interpretation of The Parable of The Sower

Matt. 13:18-23; Mark 4:14-20; Luke 8:11-15

 

The Tares

Matt. 13:24-30; Mark 4:26-29

 

Questions about Parables

Matt. 13:10-17

Mark 4:10-12

Luke 8:9-10

10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

11He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables:
"Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
" 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.' 16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

10When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.11He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12so that,
" 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!' "

9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
" 'though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.'


The Meaning of the Parable

Matt. 13:18-23

Mark 4:13-20

Luke 8:11-15

18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

13Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14The farmer sows the word. 15Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.17But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop — thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."

11"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

 

 

 

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