Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Seldom is Jesus so explicit in explaining something to the disciples. But in this case he detailed seven items from the parable: the sower, the field, the good seed, the weeds, the enemy, the harvest, and the reapers. Yes, there are seven elements to the parable, but I’m always fascinated when I see items as seven or twelve.
Let both grow together until the harvest… (v. 30a) I explain in the links below the difference between “row crop” planting and broadcasting seed onto a field. And clearly God has “broadcast” his children into the world. Babies from faithful mothers and unchurched mothers are born side-by-side in today’s hospitals. We are to be “in the world, but not of the world” (John 15:17). And just as the good seed and the bad seed grow together in the field, so we live side-by-side with unbelieving neighbors. So do we become more like them or do they become more like us?
I’m also thinking of good and bad seeds planted in my head. Can’t separate those very easily…!! Wait until the harvest!
See also: April 15 / Matt. 13:24-30; April 16 / Matt. 13:34-43
Thanks for the reminder of broadcast v. row planting. Fred.
The sower God casts broadly, not into our silos or “rows”. We the servants aren’t to do the separating of wheat and tares, and have to wait for the harvest. My translation reads that the reapers are the angels, not us humans. So our job is to grow, nurture, water all around us. But we don’t step in now or even at the end times. God’s in charge of judgment, using his angelic and heavenly hosts to carry judgment out, not us. Hmm. So much for our judgmental pride, holier than thou attitude.