Genuine and Counterfeit

Mat 13:34  All Jesus did that day was tell stories--a long storytelling afternoon. 

Mat 13:35  His storytelling fulfilled the prophecy: I will open my mouth and tell stories; I will bring out into the open things hidden since the world's first day. 

Mat 13:36  Jesus dismissed the congregation and went into the house. His disciples came in and said, "Explain to us that story of the thistles in the field." 

Mat 13:37  So he explained. "The farmer who sows the pure seed is the Son of Man. 

Mat 13:38  The field is the world, the pure seeds are subjects of the kingdom, the thistles are subjects of the Devil, 

Mat 13:39  and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, the curtain of history. The harvest hands are angels. 

Mat 13:40  "The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act. 

Mat 13:41  The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom, 

Mat 13:42  pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. They are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen. 

Mat 13:43  At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father. "Are you listening to this? Really listening? 

Matthew 13:34-43

 Genuine and Counterfeit 

Throughout the Synoptic Gospels-Matthew, Mark, and Luke-a consistent distinction is made between the outer ranks of the people, or disciples, and the inner circle of Apostles. May we not emphasize the same distinction still? We have among us many who are clearly disciples. They cannot as yet formulate or endorse the full creed of the Church, but if they are true to their convictions and follow the gleam, the Master will bring them to the decision of Peter, Mat_16:16.

 This world is God’s field. All the good in it has reached it through Jesus Christ. Fundamentally there are but two classes, for the disciple belongs to Christ, though He has not yet come into the perfect light. Notice that the people who cause stumbling are placed with those who do iniquity, and each class is thrown on the rubbish heap. Ponder the despair with which we shall view wasted opportunities, as we look back on them from eternity-weeping for softer natures, and wailing for weaker ones. Let us not trifle away the golden chances of life!