Let both grow together until the harvest. – Matthew 13:30
Using parables, Jesus revealed the nature of His kingdom on Earth, His love for the lost, as well as His long-suffering and grace. The sower in the parable of the wheat and the tares (weeds) sowed good seed in his field, but the enemy came at night and sowed weeds in the same field.
The adversary, the enemy of God, spreads lies and deceitfully leads people away from the Lord, sowing rebellious and unrighteous thoughts in their minds. Jesus conveyed to the people that His kingdom was not the earthly, military, or political one that the Jews were expecting. It is composed of those who believe in Christ as their Savior, whose hearts and minds are under the rule and reign of God. The co-mingling of the faithful with those who are rebellious illustrates the world as it is right now.
Evil in this world should compel you, as a believer, to be sober-minded and holy in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:13-15). The enemy can sow his seed of distrust and walk away, and it can flourish in the flesh. Humanity is prone to sin. Be studious of God’s Word and devoted to prayer so that your faith is tended, watered, and strengthened against the temptations of the adversary.
At the last day, the Lord will send His angels to weed out from His kingdom those who choose sin and do evil. Jesus does not wish that any perish, but all will be judged on that day (2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 20:15). Pray now for those in this nation, particularly those in positions of authority, who have been deceived and walk in rebellion against God, that they come to faith while there is still time.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Revelation 20:11-15
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
