Matthew: Chapter 13
Matthew chapter 13 is very distinct from the preceding chapters. There are seven parables, and Jesus himself gives explanations for two of these parables. While all of these parables have specific messages, the overall theme is about the kingdom of heaven.
Why Parables?
Parables are short stories which illustrate particular lessons. However, the interpretation is at times not immediately given, or given only for a few. This naturally makes it harder for the people listening. So, why did Jesus shift from his straight forward, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near", to speaking in parables which require a deeper insight to understand?
This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. Matthew 13:13
This change is a consequence of the unbelief and adamancy which people showed as recorded in the previous chapter. Also, this further fulfils the prophecy spoken by Isaiah.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' Matthew 13:14-15
The hearts of people hardened so much that it is unable to take in the message from God. And the only thing which is preventing them from being blessed is this. For, if they understand, they would listen, turn towards God and be healed.
"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. Matthew 13:16
This statement from Jesus shows that parables and the messages from God can indeed be understood; and the ones who do understand them are blessed. As for how to understand the word of God and about the nature of the kingdom of heaven, the parables have answers.
Parable of the Sower
This well known parable tells the tale of a sower who goes out to sow the seed, and shows the growth or decay of the plants which sprang up. Some of the seeds fell along the path, some fell on rocky places, others fell among thorns and still others fell on good soil. Birds picked up the seeds on the path. Plants which quickly grew up from the seeds which fell on rocky places were scorched by the sun and withered because they didn't have root. The thorns choked the other plants. The ones which fell on good soil gave crop thirty, sixty and a hundred times what was sown.
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| Parable of the Sower |
In this parable, the seeds are the message about the kingdom of heaven - the word of God; the places where the seeds fell are the hearts of men. Clearly not everyone reacts to the word of God the same way. But the key focus is about understanding the word of God. The seeds along the path, refers to ones who hear the message, but doesn't understand it, and hence the evil one easily takes away the message of the kingdom away from them.
The seeds along the rocky places, refers to ones who receives the word of God immediately and with joy, but isn't rooted in it. Thus, they last only for a short time, and fall off when trouble or persecution comes because of the world. The seeds among the thorns, refers to ones who likewise receives the word of God, but not completely or wholeheartedly, thus they are unable to shed the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth. This makes them unfruitful and unable to stand in the kingdom of heaven.
The last group, seeds which fell on good soil, are ones who hears the word and understands it. They are rooted in the word of God and understand the implications and what it entails regarding the kingdom of heaven. This helps them escape the worries of life (because, God takes care of us, Matthew 6:25-34), and the deceitfulness of wealth and earth (because, these are fleeting not eternal). Thereby, making them fruitful and hence useful for the LORD and his kingdom.
Parable of the Weeds
This parable has a man sowing good seed in his land. However, his enemy comes when everyone is asleep and sows weeds in the same field. When found out, the man instructs the servants not to disturb the weeds right now as they would harm the wheat as well, but tells them to gather the weeds first at harvest. Following his words, the servants gather the weeds first, bundle them and throw them into fire; and then go back to harvest the wheats and gather them in their master's barn.
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| Parable of the Weeds |
The man in the parable, is the son of man, Jesus, who sows the good news, and the ones who accept that message are the seeds. Later, Satan, the enemy, comes and sows his message, and the people who accept it are the weeds. The servants are the angels, and the harvest is the end of time and judgement.
The parable comments on three things. Firstly, as the kingdom of heaven expands, Satan tries to hinder it with his people, who would be and do the opposite to everything good, in an effort to hinder and persecute the ones who accepted the kingdom of heaven. Secondly, God doesn't immediately pull out the weeds, the wicked, vile and evil people out because, it would harm the good ones as well. Besides, it gives them time to repent as well (Matthew 5:43-48). Finally, the parable comments on the surety of judgement. Everyone who turns to God will be saved, and the ones who do evil and who never repented despite the multiple chances given to them will be thrown into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
Both these parables compare the kingdom of heaven to something which looks insignificant, but later as time passes it grows to shelter everything else. In the mustard seed parable, Jesus focuses on how the kingdom of heaven has a seemingly tiny insignificant start, but as it expands it supersedes everything and gives a sanctuary for ones who seek it. In the yeast parable, Jesus notes how the message about the kingdom of heaven would work through everyone. The joy of the good news will be shared until everyone hears about it.
After this parable, Matthew again notes how parables were used by Jesus to talk to the crowds. This again fulfils another prophecy recorded in Psalms.
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." Matthew 13:33
The remaining parables in this chapter are spoken specifically to the disciples (and not to the crowds) to explain to them other key insights.
Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
Both these parables state how invaluable and priceless the kingdom of heaven is. The man and the merchant find it, and realizes the worth of it, and ensure that they get it, even if it took all that they had. For they understood, having the treasure and the pearl was better than everything which they had with them. Likewise, the kingdom of heaven is to be treasured and prized.
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| Parable of the Hidden Treasure |
Parable of the Net
The last parable in this chapter is the parable of the net. The kingdom of heaven is like a net which the fishermen let down into a lake and caught all kinds of fish. At shore, they collected the good fish in baskets and threw the bad away.
This again comments on the final judgement; where the righteous and unrighteous in God's sight will be separated, with the wicked being thrown into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Another thing this parable mentions is how the net is let down on all. That is, the message of the kingdom of heaven, is proclaimed to everyone. To accept it or not is left to the individual. The precise way to understand it is mentioned in the first parable. Thus, the call is extended to everyone. But sadly, not everyone would accept it, and would be judged based on their own choice.
Without Honour
The chapter ends with Jesus coming to his home town and teaching the people in their synagogue and they were amazed. However, they took offence at him, and couldn't accept that someone who grew up here and whose parents and siblings they knew had such great wisdom and miraculous powers.
Due to their unbelief and lack of faith, Jesus didn't do many miracles there. Another instance of lack of faith, preventing miracles, showing us how cruciality of faith.
To summarize, we are blessed because we know about the kingdom of heaven. But our understanding and implementation of it, should be like that of seeds which were sowed in the good soil. This would ensure that we be righteous in the LORD's sight. See you in the next one! Take care of yourselves and each other!
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