Agelbert NOTE: The parables taught by Jesus Christ have been frequently misinterpreted or even used to rationalize doing the opposite of what Christ actually taught. I am posting the following over several days in order to help clear up any misunderstandings among people of good will, along with eliminating self-serving rationalizitions often used by people of bad will.
Matthew 13:1-58
Eight parables are found here. In the first instance the parable is of the sower. The sowing of the seed refers to the Word of God.
The seed, having grown in the good soil, becomes not only one but many believing witnesses cast into the world. Jesus explained that "the good seed are the children of the kingdom".
These parables are given so that we as the children of the kingdom in the world may know that we must expect opposition from the devil and his children.
In these parable, we are given the negative reaction to Christian action.
We
must not try to uproot the weeds, representative of the evil ones in the world,
because of our inability to judge rightly without the possibility of making a mistake. The ultimate disposition of the evil ones in the world will be accomplished by angels who are going to be sent by the Lord (v. 41) at the consummation of the age. Actually, the angels are designated as the final reapers of the harvest of our labor (v. 39).
35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Matthew 12:35-37
Continued tomorrow