Matthew 13:24 - 46

Often times I find myself shaking my head at the state of affairs in our world. I used to watch my dad do it. I wonder if this is what we do as we age?

However, as I read this section of Matthew, I felt as if Jesus, in rapid fire fashion, tells me that what I am seeing today, has always been taking place.

Consider three situations:

·       The presence of good and evil.

·       The world’s perception of Jesus and His Message as insignificant.

·       The apparent invisibility of the grace God on offer to everyone through His Son.

In 13:24-30 we read the parable of the “wheat and the tares”. Jesus explains it in verses 36-43. As I think about it Jesus plainly says, “Look good and evil will be in the world, don’t be surprised. The enemy is sowing seed, just as you (my followers) are to be sowing seed. Stop worrying about it, sow seed, and I will deal with it at the end of time.” 

Now I expect the Lord’s words would be more compassionate than mine, but that is how I hear what he is saying. He does not go into any explanation about “why” there is evil. There just is.

The other bit with this parable is that evil will not get a pass. “All causes of sin and law-breakers” will be gathered and thrown into “the fiery furnace”.

In 13:31-32 we read about how the kingdom of heaven is like the smallest of seed. It appears insignificant to the world. Isn’t that stunning. How does the world around you view Jesus? How does the world around you view the need to be people of faith? As I write this we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. Most leaders have not turned to God. In fact many think worship and pastors “non-essential. They are politically smart enough to never say “God is non-essential”, but their actions scream this opinion. 

Why? Jesus tells us. To the world, prayer to God seems less than a mustard seed. It is mere vapor. Jesus says, don’t be deceived. The kingdom is growing.

In 13:33 the kingdom is not only insignificant; it is hidden! I find that so interesting. The number of times people quickly point out the church’s sins (of which there are many) seems to far exceed the number of times people note that the church is doing good in the world. It is as if the world cannot see God’s people serving the poor, rescuing those caught in sin, and more. For these are just a few of the signs of the kingdom. Yet the world cannot see them.

Jesus says, “Don’t worry, the kingdom is working its way through the world—even if the world does not perceive it.

Which leads to 13:44-46 regarding how people find Him for themselves. In these three verses we are presented with a working-class fellow who seemingly bumps into the kingdom, and a rich man who has been searching for it.

I am struck by the differences in the two men and their situations. Yet, while different, both when they realize what they have found, sell all to gain it.

Which leads me to wonder out loud. Amid the conflict between good and evil, amid what seems to be the increasing insignificance and invisibility of the church, have you found Him? Has He found you?

And if He has found you, what has been (and continues to be) your response?