• Each parable stands by itself, meaning what soil represented in the parable of the Sower is not what it means in this parable
• This parable tends to focus our hearts on other elements that distract us from the main point of the parable

Matthew 13:24-30 / Matthew 13:36-43

Four Elements of the Weed (Darnel) – Vs. 24-25

• It was an – Looked like wheat from seed to plant UNTIL the harvest, then you could tell the difference

*Jesus HATED fake religion. Hypocrites were one of the most targeted people groups Jesus addresses in His ministry.

• It was – If consumed, it would make you act intoxicated (unstable walking, vomiting, slurred speech), and Romans even believed it to cause blindness
• It was – Carried ergot fungus that would cause hallucinations if consumed in small doses, and in large doses, destroy the nervous system or kill you.
• It – Darnell would wrap around or share roots with wheat, so to displace one meant to displace another

An Active – Vs. 25, 27

• Sowing Darnel seed is odd to the hearers, because nobody collects seeds from darnel UNLESS it was to a very deliberate and very malicious purpose
• Jesus is about to open up a series of parables about warfare…”The enemy does this, but the kingdom of God does this…”
• Jesus credits His opposition not to Rome, or Pharisees, but to Satan
  • The greatest and most effective lie Satan ever told was the idea that he doesn’t exist
  • Seemingly, most believers either under-estimate or over-estimate Satan
  • As Satan opposes Jesus, don’t allow that to pass blame for sin to Satan (or Adam and Eve), rather, understand you once stood opposed to Jesus too!

Gods – Vs. 28-29

• I love that God does not trust the angels/us to judge, remove, and take responsibility for separating the wheat from weed.

The – Vs. 30

He must get the chollas out!

• Satan does not care about his children, God cares about His. Satan wants us to go weeding before the harvest, but God outsmarts Satan and rather says, let both grow together until the harvest
• God must deal with sin, but there is a time to do it
  • God forgave our sin, sanctifies us of our sin, and removes all sin from the world
    • Every source of pain comes from sin…there is a point where God says no more!
  • God is patient with judgment for our sakes:
    • Patient for our repentance – 1 Peter 3:9
    • Patient for our preservation

What Jesus reveals:

There will be hypocrites/imposters in the church. There will be dangerous people in the church. There will be poisonous people in the church. Many will be entangled and involved with these people. BUT, there is also sincere people in the church! There is Safe people in the church. There is life-giving people who give honey, not poison! We cannot always know who is who, so we must WAIT! This is what was so shocking to the original audience.

Questions for Guided Discussion

1. The Darnel Weed looks, feels, and grows like wheat, but is not wheat. It is indistinguishable until the harvest. This parable teaches us that we cannot know, nor should we try to distinguish weeds from wheat, rather, Jesus says wait, endure, and persevere until judgment day. How do we wait well? What is so hard about waiting?
2. God is not some sadistic monster who doesn’t care if His children get destroyed, nor is He some indulgent grandparent determined to spoil us rotten by letting us live, and hurt, however and whoever we want forever. In verse 41, Jesus says that He will destroy ANYTHING that causes sin and all who do evil. How will the justice and mercy of God be shown on Judgment Day? How does this elevate His love and holiness? Does Judgment Day scare or excite you?
3. Read verse 43 and think about the sun here in 29 palms and in the Middle East where Jesus is preaching. What do you envision when Jesus says the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father?
4. Darnel was poison to those who consumed it. It could paralyze, blind, or even kill you if your not careful. How do we take care to not become paralyzed, poisoned, blinded, or destroyed by the weeds in church, especially without compromising the joy, beauty, and fellowship as a community of faith?
5. Does it surprise you that Jesus tells us to expect to be hurt in church? Does it encourage you? Does His timeline to deal with it bother you?
6. Christ makes it very clear we have a formidable opponent. The Christian life has often been marked by the intensity by which we are opposed. Do you feel opposed in life? If not, why not? Are you living a life worthy enough to attract the attention of Satan?
7. In verses 28-29, Jesus states He does not trust the judgment or separation of weeds to anyone else but Himself. Have you ever thought deeply about Gods trust? What has He trusted you with? What does He not trust you with?