Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Parable Of The Weeds In The Field – Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 – Growing As Disciples
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 sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons 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. Matthew 13:37-40 (NIV)
Awake And Listening
It’s not your job to judge or condemn evil people that are in the world. Leave that up to me for the end of the age. If it were your job now, someone would have already judged and condemned you. I suppose so. Well, you would be right then. Yes, I once lived as one of your enemies. I was headed in the wrong direction walking away from you and doing evil of every kind. But, you rescued me. Yes, I did. How did I do that? I’m not sure what you mean? Did I use anyone to help rescue you from the darkness that you were walking in? Yes, you used several people, at just the right time, to help me to come to you. What did they do for you? They prayed for me. They showed me your love and acceptance by the kindness that they showed me on your behalf. Yes, they most certainly did. What else? They spoke up and showed me how I could have a new life in you. So, it was their prayers, love and testimony that I used to draw you to me. That’s right.
I have a few questions that I would like to ask you. Go ahead, I’m listening. It’s funny that you just used the word listening. Why is that? My first question is what would have happened to you if the people who helped you were not awake and listening to me? They would not have prayed, loved or spoken to me. Where then would you still be now? I would still be living as your enemy, walking in darkness. Yes, you would. What if they had been busy, judging and condemning you as an evil person? Their judgment and condemnation would have driven me even farther away from you. Their assessment would have been completely correct and their actions would have been totally wrong. Yes, and who would have won in the end? The devil would have won because I would have been lost to him. Yes, you would have. But, I would not let that happen, nor would the people that I used in your life. How fantastic is that? It is fantastic beyond words. Because your servants fulfilled their role as good seed in the world they bore real fruit for your kingdom. In this case I was the fruit of the labor that you gave to them. Yes, you were. What will happen to you now? One day, I will join you in heaven and I will be able to shine like the sun in your kingdom for all eternity. Yes, you will, along with all my followers.
One final question, but it’s a question that I want you to ask me. I know what it is. Are you sure? Yes, I’m sure. Let’s hear it then. Who can I love, pray for and talk to about the new life they can have in you? Yes, that’s exactly what I want you to ask me. That’s what I am asking you right now. Be awake and listen to me and I will give you your answer.
Lord, it is a good thing someone wasn’t given the job of judging and condemning me. I would have been judged to be an evil weed. Thank you for planting your good seed in me and giving me a new life to live, bearing fruit for you. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Parables – Matthew 13-37-40 – Weeds In The Field – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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