2/23/25 “Rooted in Christ”
“Rooted in Christ”
Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43
As many of you know, Lisa & I are new members of the grandparents’ club as we welcomed our first grandchild, Evelynn, into the world last month.
Since that time, I’ve taken more notice of other newborns that I’ve seen on tv, or pictures of infants on the internet …
And one thing I’ve noticed is how similar all newborn babies are in their general appearance.
They usually have very little hair…they have lots of wrinkles…and they sleep a lot…
…Not so different than some of us older people, right?
Another fact that I find interesting about infants is that their height and weight at birth isn’t always an indication of how tall, or how heavy, they will someday become.
For instance, many of you recognize the name Shaquille O’Neal…he’s a retired basketball player….and he is a very large man.
Shaquille stands 7’1” and weighs around 325 pounds.
Surprisingly, however, when Shaquille was born…he only weighed 7 lbs, 11oz….and he was barely 22 inches long….
…these are very average measurements.
I’m willing to bet that many of us here today were perhaps heavier and taller as infants than was Mr. O’Neal….
…yet none of us grew to be 7’1” tall.
Back on March 6th 1972 when Shaquille O’Neal was born he would have looked very similar to all the other newborn babies in the hospital at that time…
The same can be said for seedlings that are just sprouting up from the ground.
For instance, if you place the seedling of a redwood tree next to that of a common landscaping shrub – they will look similar at an early stage of development
…but give it some time, and one will notice a distinct difference between the two plants…
one will eventually top out at about 3 feet tall….while the other one will most likely grow to be over 300 feet tall.
What began as a similarity between the two plants will eventually result in a vast difference in size, height, and function.
In today’s parable, Jesus describes something similar happening between regular wheat – and that of a toxic weed that goes by the name of darnel…
In its early stages, darnel looks exactly like wheat….with it being almost impossible to distinguish between the two.
Darnel has mimicked wheat for centuries…and farmers have had to take extra care to separate it out from their true harvest…
Unlike wheat, when people eat darnel seeds, they become dizzy and nauseous…and ingesting too many of its seeds can kill a person.
No wonder Darnel’s nickname through the centuries has been “Wheat’s evil twin”
This appropriate name for darnel seems to ring loud and clear in our parable for today as well….
…Jesus is contrasting his followers (symbolized by wheat), with those who follow the evil ways of Satan and this world (Symbolized by weeds…or, darnel)
We all are born into this world with the same spiritual appearance…
… over time, however, one is able to distinguish those who have chosen to follow Jesus – and those who have not done so.
Before we consider the life application of this parable, let’s begin looking at the story itself – followed by Jesus’ explanation of its meaning.
Jesus begins in verse 24 (Matthew 13:24) where he once again compares something physical to the spiritual kingdom of heaven….
…Which, if you recall, the term ‘kingdom of heaven’ can be defined as the spiritual rule of God over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to His authority…
…Or, even more broadly, as God’s sovereign rule over all of creation.
The level of specificity meant by the term ‘kingdom of heaven’ really depends upon the context in which it is used….
…and in our parable for today…it has to do with how the people of God’s spiritual kingdom (Symbolized by the wheat) will experience a different eternal destiny than those who choose to follow the Devil and his earthly agenda (Symbolized by the weeds, or tares)
Verse 24 goes on to tell us of a man sowing good seed in a field.
If you recall, in the parable of the sower and the four different kinds of soil, we also see a man spreading seed…
…the seeds in that parable represent the gospel message itself…
…while the seeds in our parable for today represent 2 kinds of individuals – followers of Jesus – and followers of Satan.
Verse 25 (Matthew 13:25) introduces the Satanic element into the story.
We are told that the landowner’s enemy came under the dark of night to maliciously plant weeds among the good seeds of wheat.
When the wheat soon began to emerge from the ground…so did the weeds.
In verse 27 (Matthew 13:27) the landowner’s servants are confused as to why there are weeds growing in the field along with the wheat.
“Didn’t you sow good seed in your field”?
Why are there all of these weeds here…and…where did they come from?
In verse 28 (Matthew 13:28) the landowner tells his servants that the weeds were the act of an enemy…someone who is attempting to ruin or limit the landowner’s harvest…
Many of you who have experience farming know how the outside diameter of a wheat field will often produce the lowest bushels per acre…
…In large part because of heavy weed pressure that encroaches inward from a ditch…or a hayfield…anytime weeds are present, the harvest in that area will suffer.
The servants ask the landowner if they should go pull up the weeds…to which the landowner tells them in verse 29 (Matthew 13:29) “No” let’em be…at least for now.
….he goes on to tell the servants that because the wheat and the weeds look very similar at this stage, they must be allowed to grow side-by-side until harvest time when their appearance begins to change…thereby disclosing whether they are truly wheat or weeds.
Jesus wraps up the parable in verse 30 (Matthew 13:30) when he describes the landowner as instructing the harvesters to gather up the weeds to be burned…
….then to bring in the wheat and safely transport it to the barn…
The next 5 verses in Chapter 13 involve Jesus telling 2 very short parables… …One involving a mustard seed and another involving yeast.
…both also dealing with the topic of the kingdom of heaven.
Then, in verse 36 (Matthew 13:36) the disciples direct Jesus’ attention back to his parable of the wheat and the weeds…they have questions…and Jesus graciously answers them.
He begins in verse 37 (Matthew 13:37) by clarifying that the sower – the landowner – is himself…
Then in verse 38 (Matthew 13:38) Jesus defines the field as the world, with the wheat being his followers…and the weeds representing followers of Satan and the ways of this world.
In verse 39 (Matthew 13:39) Jesus defines Satan as ‘the enemy’….the harvest as ‘the end of the age’ (which refers to Jesus’ second coming and subsequent judgement)….
…and finally the harvesters are said to be angels who will execute judgement on unbelievers.
Verses 40-42 elaborate on the sobering eschatological process whereby the weeds (those individuals who never repented of sin and who never came to faith in Christ)
…they will eventually suffer an eternity of pain, torment and destruction.
As we have seen in numerous parables now, Jesus describes a place of ‘weeping and gnashing of teeth’….in scripture, this place always refers to hell.
Hell will have no friendship, no fellowship, no camaraderie, no comfort…it won’t even have the ungodly pleasures of sin that so many people think they will continue indulging in…
…many people believe that hell will be nothing more than a continuous party...a continuation of the sinful activities that they currently enjoy here on earth…
I believe that’s what Billy Joel had in mind when he wrote the famous lyric “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints”
…What a backwards view of reality….Hell will be anything BUT a party…it will be a place of eternal pain, grief, sorrow, and regret.
…True joy and contentment only come from selflessly taking up our cross and living for the savior – not by selfishly indulging in the sin and debauchery of this world.
Surprisingly, Jesus spoke as much about hell as he did about heaven.
People get restless & uncomfortable hearing this because we have a tendency of wanting to focus exclusively on God’s grace & mercy…to the exclusion of His justice…holiness…and righteousness.
This place of weeping and gnashing of teeth is real…and it will be a reality for anyone who lives a life governed by self-rule and the rejection of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.
Lastly, in verse 43 (Matthew 13:43) Jesus ends the description of this parable with a word of encouragement for those who have confessed their life of sin to God, repented in faith, asked for forgiveness, and trusted in the person and work of Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation.
These are the righteous who Jesus describes here in this verse as those who will “Shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father.”
The prophet Daniel provides a similar description of those living in the last days who are destined for heaven when he says, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
When Jesus returns with His angels, He will not only perfectly separate the weeds for destruction, but He will also reward the righteous – the good seeds of wheat - with eternal blessing.
Matthew describes this future event a few chapters later in his gospel when he says this: “And He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:31)
This is when the Kingdom of Heaven – what Jesus initially offered the Jewish people…and they ultimately rejected…will finally become a physical reality – with Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords.
So….what can we take away from this parable?....what lessons can we learn from this story that will enable us to become better followers of our savior?
I think we need to focus on the fact that – until Jesus returns – there will always be weeds among the wheat here on earth…
In fact, there are so many weeds around us, it might be more accurate to say that there will always be wheat among the weeds…
Picture in your mind a field containing a good deal more weeds than wheat…
…to my understanding, this more accurately portrays the situation in this world of rampant sin, self-satisfaction, pride, and immorality.
A few years back when we were in the process of selling some acreage, we had a 5-acre field that had been left dormant for a year…just one year.
…And In that time, it went from a nice looking cornfield…to a field of mostly weeds with a few corn plants from the previous year popping up here and there.
Scripture informs us that God has been allowing Satan and his legion of demons to administer their agenda on this earth since the fall of man back in Genesis chapter 3
His goal is to perpetuate the climate of sin that has completely saturated this planet…
That’s why we see murder, rape, disease, violence, immorality of all kinds, divorce, pride, self-centeredness, jealousy, unforgiveness, impatience….
…sin is why cancer kills and heart attacks occur…
…sin is why our culture has been deceived into thinking there are more than two genders…and that sexuality is malleable.
….sin is why people think that just “Being a good person” will automatically buy you a ticket to heaven.
You can give large amounts of money to charity…treat others with respect…work hard and keep your nose out of trouble…raise respectful children….maintain a clean, tidy house… be a well-respected, well-loved member of the community…
…and still be headed straight for hell.
In John chapter three, Jesus tells the Pharisee Nicodemus that rather than trusting in a works-based salvation, a person must be born again in order to obtain eternal life.
Being born again (Or, ‘born from above’) means that you are not only born physically….but that you are also born spiritually into God’s household through repentance of sin, and faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ….
…believing and trusting that he alone is able to save you from your sins.
…and then living your life in accordance to his principles…in other words, showing fruit of your spiritual rebirth.
Another important lesson from this parable involves the idea that not only will there be weeds out in the world…but there will also – unfortunately – be weeds within the church as well.
The apostle Paul repeatedly warns the church about false teachers, false prophets, and false declarations of faith.
In his second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul writes,
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
Jesus himself says in Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Jesus goes on to say that “By their fruit you will recognized them….”
Like darnel – wheat’s evil twin – they will look a lot like the real thing…
…except for the fruit.
Like darnel, the fruit of a false apostle will be toxic.
Their actions won’t match their speech…their walk won’t align with their talk.
They will look the part…but their hearts will be far from God.
Peter says this about false teachers in his second epistle:
“But there will be false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves.”(2 Peter 2:1)
Finally, Jude – the half-brother of Jesus – brings a similar warning “For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” (Jude 4)
One example of first-century false teachers who exchanged the truth of God’s law for a lie were the Gnostics.
The Gnostics were professed believers who would re-interpret God’s Word and twist the scriptures to make it mean almost anything they wanted.
One particular belief they concocted was that man’s body and his spirit were completely separate entities that didn’t have anything to do with each other….
They believed that all spirit was good and that all flesh was evil…
…therefore, according to this heretical view, as long as you intellectually believed in Jesus, it didn’t really matter what you did with your body….because your flesh is sinful…and it was destined to rot in the grave anyway.
As you might imagine, this kind of teaching led to rampant immorality in certain churches who tolerated this unbiblical view.
And, as we saw earlier concerning fruit in one’s life, Jesus viewed fleshly obedience as proof of one’s salvation.
He said in John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
..And again in John 15:10 “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love.”
Sadly, we still see the remnants of Gnosticism in certain flavors of Christian organizations today.
…Any individual, church, or denomination that has twisted the clear teachings of God’s Word into something other than what it plainly teaches, is guilty of the same heresy as the original Gnostics…
…When you start changing the obvious and straight-forward teachings of scripture to more align with your individual preferences or current cultural ideologies…
…That’s when one crosses over into the sin of Neo-Gnostic license.
False teachings & doctrines can also come from a stance of legalism as well.
The Pharisees, for example, were religious legalists.
…They proudly boasted of their external accomplishments in the faith,
…devising new – and unbiblical – rituals, rules, and traditions that were to be strictly adhered to.
…But internally, they knew nothing of genuine, self-less, saving faith.
They had a good deal of head knowledge about God…but their cold, prideful hearts were far from Him.
Brothers and Sisters, getting caught up in the heresies of license and legalism is easier than one might think.
That is why we must…we MUST…be vigilant in our defense of the true doctrines of God’s Word…
…We must not allow our spiritual compasses to get thrown off in either direction.
I’ll leave you this morning with this illustration:
Say you have a compass (Like this one) and look at where the ‘North” needle is pointing…
…Did you know that if you begin walking in that direction, you’ll will miss the North Pole…?....you probably won’t even get close.
Why?...Because compasses are designed to point to something called magnetic North….not geographical North.
Compasses will always point to where magnetic field lines converge on the earth, not necessarily to where true geographical North really is.
The only way to find true North using a compass is to know what the exact difference in calibration is between true North and Magnetic North…
Only after understanding this difference is someone able to calibrate one’s compass to actually guide you to true, geographical North.
Well, in a spiritual sense, we as believers need to do something very similar.
We are all born with spiritual compasses that don’t point to true North…
We are born in a condition of sin that has a tendency of throwing off our internal readings of what we perceive as God’s ultimate truth and moral standards.
Without spiritual assistance, we have a hard time recognizing if something is heresy or orthodoxy.
Therefore, it is IMPERATIVE that we as believers understand this natural tendency toward spiritual inaccuracy when left to our own devices…
We must understand how to re-calibrate our spiritual compasses so that they consistently point to the stationary truth of God’s Word.
This re-calibration can come from only one source….
(The Bible) God’s timeless, inerrant, infallible, immutable Word…and the help of the Holy Spirit as we read it.
This book is spiritual True North!
We cannot rely on our emotions….for God says His ways are greater than our ways….
We cannot rely on our intellectual prowess…for God says His thoughts are higher than our thoughts…
We cannot rely on modern culture…for God tells us not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
We cannot even completely rely on each other….for God says that His Word – and ONLY His Word – is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness.
In conclusion…folks, we are living amongst weeds…
Weeds in the world – and we even see weeds within the church.
We have to remain diligent to the disciplines of the faith:
Be in the Word…be intentional in prayer…and continually worship the Savior while serving others.
Only by doing these things are we able to continually re-calibrate our compasses to understand the location of Spiritual True North…identify heresy…and glory in the future reality of our eternal home in heaven.
Let’s Pray.