Reflections on Scripture with Dr. Leins
| Time Stamp | Transcript |
| 0:08 | [Music] |
| 0:14 | hello |
| 0:18 | today let’s talk about the parable of |
| 0:22 | the wheat and the tares |
| 0:24 | or what one might call the weeds in the |
| 0:28 | field |
| 0:29 | this Parable is found in Matthew 13 |
| 0:31 | 24-30 and the interpretation is given by |
| 0:34 | Jesus six verses later Matthew 13 36-43 |
| 0:39 | here is a portion of the Lord’s |
| 0:42 | explanation of the parable of the weeds |
| 0:44 | and the tares |
| 0:48 | Jesus said the one who sows The Good |
| 0:50 | Seed is the son of man and the field is |
| 0:53 | the world and as for the good seed these |
| 0:56 | are the sons of the kingdom and the |
| 0:58 | tares are the sons of the evil one and |
| 1:01 | the enemy who sowed them is the devil |
| 1:04 | and the Harvest is the end of the age |
| 1:06 | and the reapers are the Angels |
| 1:09 | our lord Jesus told this parable about |
| 1:12 | himself |
| 1:13 | the son of man sowed good and godly seed |
| 1:16 | into the world |
| 1:18 | that seed is you |
| 1:21 | Sons and Daughters of the kingdom of God |
| 1:24 | but immediately thereafter the devil |
| 1:26 | came by night and sowed bad and ungodly |
| 1:29 | seed right on top of the good seed |
| 1:32 | as the seeds began to germinate and grow |
| 1:34 | at first the plants appear to be |
| 1:36 | virtually identical |
| 1:39 | but as the grain ripened it became |
| 1:41 | apparent that the seeds were not the |
| 1:44 | same |
| 1:45 | some of them were false |
| 1:47 | the servants asked the master if they |
| 1:49 | should gather the false grain should |
| 1:51 | they tear out the weeds out of the |
| 1:53 | ground no said the master |
| 1:56 | allow both to grow together until the |
| 1:59 | time of the Harvest at that time we will |
| 2:02 | separate them the weeds into the furnace |
| 2:05 | of fire and the wheat into the kingdom |
| 2:08 | of the father |
| 2:10 | that’s the parable in a nutshell so what |
| 2:12 | is our lord Jesus teaching us |
| 2:15 | first |
| 2:17 | God has a plan |
| 2:20 | this Parable is an encouraging word from |
| 2:23 | God |
| 2:24 | but sometimes to tell the truth we |
| 2:26 | forget that God has a plan |
| 2:30 | sometimes it slips our mind or we lose |
| 2:32 | sight of the fact that God is omniscient |
| 2:34 | he knows everything and God is |
| 2:37 | omnipotent he has all power |
| 2:39 | and God is omnipresent |
| 2:41 | he is right beside us but sometimes we |
| 2:45 | forget |
| 2:46 | that everything is known by God and is |
| 2:49 | under his Direct Care we forget |
| 2:52 | why |
| 2:54 | because we become overwhelmed by the |
| 2:57 | weeds of the world and that’s why Jesus |
| 3:00 | told the parable about weeds and |
| 3:02 | wickedness in the world Jesus knows full |
| 3:05 | well |
| 3:06 | that this world is no picnic |
| 3:09 | living here is like being a firefighter |
| 3:13 | at times you may be surrounded by fire |
| 3:16 | and fear |
| 3:18 | because you’re in the middle of the |
| 3:19 | flames |
| 3:21 | or you may just be wondering when the |
| 3:22 | next alarm is going to go off |
| 3:25 | but Jesus is not surprised by weeds or |
| 3:28 | with wickedness or by fire and flames in |
| 3:32 | the world |
| 3:33 | that is to say |
| 3:36 | don’t you think that Jesus knows about |
| 3:39 | your particular patch of weeds and your |
| 3:43 | current potential fire |
| 3:45 | Jesus said |
| 3:47 | in the world you shall have tribulation |
| 3:50 | but be of good cheer I have overcome the |
| 3:54 | world |
| 3:55 | that’s part of the point of this parable |
| 3:58 | Jesus has overcome the world he has |
| 4:02 | defeated your big three enemies sin |
| 4:05 | death and the devil |
| 4:08 | Jesus has destroyed their power so you |
| 4:10 | need not fear them any longer and |
| 4:13 | there’s more |
| 4:15 | Jesus is with you when you are scared or |
| 4:19 | sorrowful or suffering |
| 4:21 | now let me tell you a mystery about |
| 4:23 | suffering |
| 4:26 | when you are suffering Jesus draws near |
| 4:29 | to you and mysteriously your suffering |
| 4:32 | becomes his |
| 4:35 | at the same time you draw close to |
| 4:38 | Christ and mysteriously his cross |
| 4:42 | becomes yours |
| 4:45 | it really is a Divine and holy mystery |
| 4:48 | of the Oneness and unity between you and |
| 4:50 | your savior and all of that is part of |
| 4:54 | God’s plan and you too |
| 4:57 | are part of God’s plan |
| 5:01 | second the parable teaches us that the |
| 5:04 | devil is defeated |
| 5:05 | but sometimes it’s hard for us to keep |
| 5:07 | that in mind too |
| 5:09 | well it’s not hard to keep in mind is |
| 5:11 | that the devil is the prince of this |
| 5:13 | world |
| 5:14 | that we are in a battle |
| 5:16 | that we are weak among weeds Believers |
| 5:20 | among unbelievers and sometimes the |
| 5:22 | field where we are planted is rude or |
| 5:25 | unkind or just plain evil yes the devil |
| 5:29 | is at work in your field |
| 5:31 | and in the whole world so much so that |
| 5:34 | it may appear that the world is spinning |
| 5:36 | out of control |
| 5:37 | some people |
| 5:39 | don’t make sense other people are just |
| 5:41 | nasty |
| 5:42 | some are just crazy |
| 5:44 | how can they think the way they think or |
| 5:47 | act the way they act |
| 5:49 | there are those who seek to persecute |
| 5:52 | and silence Christians |
| 5:54 | there may be those who seek to persecute |
| 5:56 | and silence you |
| 5:58 | at this point it may be difficult to |
| 6:01 | keep in mind that the devil is defeated |
| 6:04 | but the truth is |
| 6:06 | it’s not even a fair fight |
| 6:09 | the one who fights for you is almighty |
| 6:12 | God himself |
| 6:13 | he’s the captain of the hosts of heaven |
| 6:15 | and there is no power that Rivals him |
| 6:19 | he watches over the church he guards and |
| 6:23 | guides you |
| 6:25 | and he is Lord over the whole world |
| 6:28 | this is no manichaeism that is to say |
| 6:32 | they are not two equal Gods one good and |
| 6:34 | one evil fighting for control no no |
| 6:38 | there is one God one Lord one Christ the |
| 6:43 | devil may seem daunting to us but Christ |
| 6:45 | Jesus is terrifying to him |
| 6:49 | and for the sake of Christ |
| 6:51 | the victory in all things |
| 6:54 | belongs to you |
| 6:56 | the plan and the promise of God will not |
| 6:58 | fail you |
| 7:00 | because of the second point |
| 7:03 | the devil |
| 7:04 | is defeated |
| 7:06 | and now third and finally |
| 7:09 | be patient |
| 7:11 | and really that’s the meaning of this |
| 7:13 | Parable be patient trust in the Lord |
| 7:17 | he has a plan he’s defeated the devil |
| 7:20 | and in this evil world as Isaiah 40 |
| 7:23 | declares those who wait upon the Lord |
| 7:27 | shall renew their strength |
| 7:29 | they shall Mount up with wings as eagles |
| 7:32 | they shall run and not be weary they |
| 7:34 | shall walk and not faint |
| 7:38 | Trust |
| 7:39 | in the Lord |
| 7:41 | the seeds of the children of light and |
| 7:43 | the seeds of the children of Darkness |
| 7:45 | are sown into the world and they each |
| 7:47 | Sprout and initially |
| 7:49 | they may be difficult to distinguish |
| 7:52 | but soon they bear fruit |
| 7:55 | our fruit beloved |
| 7:57 | is love joy |
| 8:00 | peace |
| 8:01 | patience kindness goodness faithfulness |
| 8:06 | gentleness and self-control |
| 8:09 | that is who we are because Jesus Christ |
| 8:11 | is whose we are |
| 8:14 | but the fruit of the evil one is |
| 8:16 | immorality impurity sensuality idolatry |
| 8:20 | sorcery enmities Strife jealousy |
| 8:23 | outbursts of anger disputes dissensions |
| 8:27 | factions envy and drunkenness carousing |
| 8:32 | and the like you may wonder if you can |
| 8:35 | yank out the evil around you can you |
| 8:37 | exterminate them can you spray the |
| 8:39 | pesticide of your anger and meet their |
| 8:41 | sinful Behavior with your own disputes |
| 8:44 | dissensions and factions tear them out |
| 8:46 | by the roots you ask |
| 8:49 | no you may not says the Lord |
| 8:52 | instead you will be gentle and lowly of |
| 8:55 | heart |
| 8:56 | but if you may not yank them out and |
| 8:59 | remove their toxic seed why doesn’t God |
| 9:02 | get rid of them why does he allow them |
| 9:04 | to be here the drug pushers child |
| 9:08 | traffickers gang member murderers why |
| 9:12 | doesn’t God stop the crooked and |
| 9:14 | unscrupulous the overbearing and |
| 9:16 | unaccountable |
| 9:18 | why doesn’t he pull them out of the |
| 9:19 | field and eradicate them |
| 9:22 | he does not beloved |
| 9:25 | for Mercy’s sake the same Mercy |
| 9:29 | that he had for you |
| 9:32 | we do not know the end from the |
| 9:34 | beginning but father God does we only |
| 9:37 | see in part and what we see what we |
| 9:40 | desire is informed by a child’s wisdom |
| 9:43 | and the desires of a weak faith |
| 9:46 | God knew for example that Saul the |
| 9:49 | Christian killer |
| 9:51 | would become Paul the mighty Apostle |
| 9:55 | evangelist Theologian and Martyr |
| 10:00 | should Saul the weed have been |
| 10:02 | eliminated before God could create in |
| 10:04 | him a clean heart |
| 10:06 | and a living faith |
| 10:09 | Lord have mercy |
| 10:12 | the evil of this world is overwhelming |
| 10:14 | to us it seems Unstoppable and |
| 10:17 | insurmountable but our father is so |
| 10:19 | great that he uses sin as a trap and |
| 10:23 | turns it upon itself |
| 10:26 | for his own purposes |
| 10:28 | think of the great evil of the Cross how |
| 10:31 | God used it for the greatest good the |
| 10:34 | salvation of all who believe |
| 10:36 | we do not know what Grace is brewing in |
| 10:39 | the heart of God or what weed is |
| 10:42 | destined to become the next great flower |
| 10:44 | in the Kingdom field |
| 10:47 | there’s a story told about an artist |
| 10:49 | John Ruskin he lived in the 19th century |
| 10:52 | and was renowned for his creativity one |
| 10:55 | day a woman showed him a beautiful |
| 10:57 | handkerchief it was made of an Exquisite |
| 10:59 | material but somehow as she prepared to |
| 11:02 | write a letter a great drop of ink fell |
| 11:06 | to her desk right onto her handkerchief |
| 11:10 | she said look at it it’s completely |
| 11:13 | ruined I might as well throw it away |
| 11:15 | it’s good for nothing |
| 11:17 | but Ruskin asked if he might keep it for |
| 11:19 | a little while |
| 11:21 | and after a couple of weeks |
| 11:23 | it was returned to the woman |
| 11:26 | Ruskin had taken the ink blot |
| 11:28 | and made it the centerpiece of an |
| 11:31 | elaborate work of art |
| 11:33 | today that handkerchief is in a museum a |
| 11:37 | reminder to all who know the story that |
| 11:39 | an artist can take an ugly blot |
| 11:43 | and turn it into a Priceless treasure |
| 11:47 | of course you know what I’m talking |
| 11:48 | about because God has done exactly that |
| 11:51 | with you |
| 11:52 | God took you your soul sickness and sin |
| 11:55 | your selfishness and sorrow your ink |
| 11:58 | plot |
| 11:59 | and Drew his word upon you |
| 12:03 | his Artistry transformed you |
| 12:06 | your shames and stains that rendered you |
| 12:08 | worthless and disposable God made into a |
| 12:13 | masterpiece and now you are his |
| 12:15 | Priceless work of art |
| 12:18 | so be patient beloved |
| 12:20 | for though you do not know what is |
| 12:22 | happening or why your heavenly Father |
| 12:24 | Knows full well |
| 12:28 | God has not placed you in a museum he |
| 12:31 | has placed you in his field in the world |
| 12:34 | and where he placed you you are lovingly |
| 12:36 | positioned to grow |
| 12:39 | and to bear fruit |
| 12:41 | in your Harvest field he calls you not |
| 12:44 | to tear up the children of Darkness |
| 12:46 | around you but instead to spread out |
| 12:49 | your roots |
| 12:51 | let the fragrance of your faith |
| 12:53 | intoxicate them let the faithfulness and |
| 12:56 | consistency of your branches cover them |
| 12:59 | in your field the warmth of his son |
| 13:03 | light will touch all the seeds and the |
| 13:07 | refreshment of his spirit will reign |
| 13:09 | upon everyone |
| 13:12 | you can share life-giving nutrition with |
| 13:16 | a dry and dying plant or bring God’s |
| 13:20 | word |
| 13:21 | even |
| 13:22 | to the children of the devil I admit it |
| 13:25 | is not easy work |
| 13:27 | being a seed or a plant in the field of |
| 13:30 | God |
| 13:31 | but one day |
| 13:33 | when the angels of heaven come to gather |
| 13:36 | the Harvest |
| 13:37 | you who believe in Jesus Christ will be |
| 13:40 | gathered into his eternal Kingdom and |
| 13:43 | perhaps |
| 13:44 | yes just perhaps some of those bad seeds |
| 13:47 | those people who are once weeds in your |
| 13:50 | field |
| 13:51 | perhaps they will be saved from the |
| 13:53 | furnace how can that be |
| 13:56 | because you waited on the Lord because |
| 13:58 | you trusted the Lord your God because |
| 14:00 | you are patient and bore fruits of love |
| 14:02 | and joy and peace and patience and God |
| 14:07 | transformed another sinful son of evil |
| 14:10 | an ink blotted handkerchief into a |
| 14:13 | sainted child of the king a Priceless |
| 14:16 | Treasure by virtue of God’s word and |
| 14:20 | God’s spirit |
| 14:22 | alive and at work |
| 14:26 | in you |
| 14:29 | amen |
| 14:37 | [Music] |
| 14:48 | [Applause] |
LutheranLectionary.org 