Jesus told Parables from farming. These used images that were very familiar to his listeners.
The Seeds in the Field
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” 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 their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:3-9,18-23 NIV
This is by far the best known of the parables. It is included in most Sunday school programs. It occurs very often in sermons. I even guess that many non-Christians and more than a few twice a year Christians know it well. Unlike some other parables Jesus goes to some length to explain it.
However, here is a slightly different take on the parable. This interpretation is from my seminary professor C.W.F. Smith.
The parable is likely also one describing the kingdom of God. Like other parables it operates under the principle of “How Much More.” When a farmer plants a field he is more than aware that some seed will fall on places where it is not likely to grow to maturity. This does not dissuade him. He knows the seed in the good soil of his good field will grow to maturity and give him a bountiful crop.
My last regular church position was in the heart of a farming area of Louisiana. My congregation understood one kernel of corn will produce from 400 to 600 kernels at harvest: much more than 100-fold increase! If this is true of a kernel of corn how much more is it true in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is breaking through inexorably! Just think of the growth of Christianity from the time of Jesus’ crucifixion to it becoming the official religion of Rome!
My first position after seminary was in an inner-city church in Rochester, New York. Outreach was my main responsibly. Our first project was a storefront ministry a block from the church. We began with a few members and an $80 grant from the church for the first month’s rent. We soon had more used clothes than we could easily display and a cadre of volunteers from other congregations. Charging only $1 or less per item we paid the church back in less than a month. In a year we generated enough income to rent another building to house an emergency food cupboard. We called the ministry Seek and Find. It was our hope that people would not only find a great deal but also some great relationships.
Questions for reflection
- Can you think of examples that relate to Jesus’ description of the meaning of the parable?
- How do they relate to your life experience?
- What are examples in your life of the expanding nature of the Kingdom of God?
Weeds among the wheat
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 uproot 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.’” Matthew 13:24-30 NIV
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. 38 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, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 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. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Matthew 13:36-43 NIV
This parable is much like the previous one. It draws upon the well-known experience of the local agrarian culture. Likewise, there is an analogous interpretation. The wheat and weeds are seen to represent good and counterfeit followers of Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God. More importantly, it admonishes us against being judge and jury of those we suspect of this evil. God will take care of them in His own good time. It is difficult for us to tell. We must instead look to ourselves to be true bearers of a good harvest.
What about the “How much more” application of interpretation. It is also like the former parable. Just as weeds among the wheat are not a real threat to a good harvest, neither are there any impediments to the thriving of God’s Kingdom. Ours is to trust in the ultimate victory of Christ!
Just today I read a news article of the plight of Christians in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American troops. Many fled the country. Yet many remained to be “salt and light” for the Gospel even under threat of torture and death from the Taliban. We might say this is a reversal of the parable! They are good seeds among the weeds. They believe in the ultimate victory of the Kingdom of God!
Questions for reflection
- Who are you tempted to judge and weed out?
- How have you experienced the growth of God’s Kingdom in your life?
- What challenging situations call for you to be wheat among the weeds?
Mustard Seed and Yeast
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 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.” Matthew 13:31-33 NIV
Most of us will not be familiar with this variety of mustard plant. We usually think of something like grass rather than a bush. I like to choose a different plant to explain. Though most of have not visited the Sequoia trees in California you know of their great size. They are the biggest of all trees. They also have many unique qualities that allow them to live for thousands of years! They are resistant to fire. Their roots intertwine to help protect them from strong winds. They resist insects and other pests.
When I first had the opportunity to visit, I looked forward to the possibility of collecting a huge pinecone. I thought it would be a great souvenir. This turned out to be great for a different reason. Although the tree is the biggest among trees, its pinecone is the smallest among cones with tiny seeds.
With this parable it is easy to see the “How much more” principle of interpretation. Just as the mustard seed and sequoia grow large from the smallest of seeds so does the Kingdom of God spread throughout the world.
I related above the growth of our outreach ministry in Rochester, New York. Our Seek and Find storefront began with a few volunteers and $80. It expanded in two short years to a thriving outreach that includes the third largest emergency food cupboard in the city. The Community Food Cupboard became its own non-prophet corporation.
Following our time in Rochester we moved to the small town of Webster Massachusetts to serve the Episcopal Church of Reconciliation. At that time there was a need in the community to provide meals to the homeless and low-income residents. We began with a once-a-week meal under the name of The Shared Blessings Kitchen. Our senior warden and a small group of volunteers provided nutritious adequate meals in a pleasant atmosphere. Following what we learned in Seek and Find we asked participants for a small price. Some paid a few cents, others put in checks for $100. We also made it clear that all were welcome to serve as well as eat. In a short time two other congregations (one Roman Catholic and the other Congregationalist) joined. We went from one meal a week to three.
Google offers the following explanation for Yeast.
Yeast has two main uses in food production: baking and making alcoholic beverages. They have been used in this way since ancient times – there is evidence that ancient Egyptians used yeast in bread making, and we have been making fermented drinks like beer and wine for millennia.
We use yeast in our household in these ways. We make our own bread, and we make a fermented beverage that we drink before it becomes alcoholic. Just as the parable describes, it only takes a few granules of yeast to produce the desired effect upon the flour for bread and the fruit juice for our beverage. Both parables teach the same lesson. The expansion of the Kingdom of God flows from almost insignificant beginnings to produce widespread effects.
Consider, for example, the translation and printing of the first German Bible. This led first to the widespread availability of the scriptures among German-speaking common folk. Then in a relatively rapid period, historically speaking, to its translation and publication into English. Today the Bible is accessible in almost every living language in the world!
Questions for reflection
- What examples of exponential growth have you experienced?
- What seeds for the Kingdom have you been sowing?
- What small steps could you make to help expand The Way?