HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1244
MAT T H EW 1 3
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’*
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they
see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell
you the truth, many prophets and righteous
people longed to see what you see, but they
didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you
hear, but they didn’t hear it.
18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The
seed that fell on the footpath represents those
who hear the message about the Kingdom and
don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes
and snatches away the seed that was planted
in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t
have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall
away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed
that fell among the thorns represents those who
hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message
• Character
MAT T H E W 1 3 :1 8 -2 3
In this earthy parable, Jesus pointed
out the difference between hearing the
Word and understanding it. Just as a
bountiful harvest indicates that a farmer’s
planting, fertilizing, and watering have
been effective, we know that God’s Word
has taken root in our hearts and understanding when our lives bear good fruit.
Can you think of anything in your life that
is hindering God’s Word from taking root
in you? Do you look forward to real “fruit”
in your future?
• Happiness
MAT T H E W 1 3 :2 0 -2 1
Substance is important. Protect your new
life in Christ and the joy that comes with
it by cultivating spiritual depth. Hold on to
new knowledge and put it to work. Keep
up “maintenance,” such as regular prayer
and Bible study. Without good spiritual
roots, spiritual fruit cannot grow. If your
spiritual life is shallow, your faith will
wither in the heated blasts of trials and
persecution.
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is crowded out by the worries of this life and
the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The
seed that fell on good soil represents those who
truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred
times as much as had been planted!”
Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted
good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the
workers slept, his enemy came and planted
weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.
26 When the crop began to grow and produce
grain, the weeds also grew.
27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said,
‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed
is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’
28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.
“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.
29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat
if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the
harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort
out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn
them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
Parable of the Mustard Seed
31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The
Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed
planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds,
but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it
grows into a tree, and birds come and make
nests in its branches.”
Parable of the Yeast
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used
in making bread. Even though she put only a
little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations
like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact,
he never spoke to them without using such
parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken
through the prophet:
“I will speak to you in parables.
I will explain things hidden since the
creation of the world.*”
Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Explained
36 Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went
into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”
37 Jesus replied, “The Son of Man* is the
farmer who plants the good seed. 38 The field
is the world, and the good seed represents
the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the
people who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy
13:14-15 Isa 6:9-10 (Greek version). 13:35 Some manuscripts
do not include of the world. Ps 78:2. 13:37 “Son of Man” is a
title Jesus used for himself.