After the farmer parable, Jesus had several other parables for them.
The lamp on a stand (Mark 4:21-25; Luke 8:16-18)
Jesus states that no one hides the a lamp, but rather places on it on a stand. Jesus provides a quasi-interpretation in that whatever is concealed is meant to be exposed and brought out into the light.
There probably are a lot of different interpretations of this. One possible interpretation is to follow the use of "lamps" and "lamp stands" as used elsewhere. In Revelations, seven "lamps" represent seven churches. Following this analogy, this could mean that the churches, or the message of the churches, may have once been hidden, but is destined to be on full display.
Jesus further tells other parables employing the farmer analogy.
The growing seed (Mark 4:26-29)
After planting, the seed the farmer has sown grows day and night until the harvest. This seems like it could just mean that the Kingdom of God has an unexplainable organic growth to it.
Interestingly, Jesus points out the farmer does not how the plant grows. (v. 27). On one hand, Jesus might be slightly stepping out of the shoes of the farmer in this parable for story-telling purposes. Hence, maybe we should not read too much into this statement.
On the other extreme and perhaps in alignment with a free-will theology, there might be details of the growth of the Kingdom of God that even Jesus cannot predict.
Regardless, it seems to be a stand alone statement, but it is interesting since it comes among all these parables about farming and the Kingdom of God is identified with the plants. But likewise, the details of the parables generally have significance.
The weeds among the harvest (Matthew 13:24-30; 36:43) and The net of fish (Matthew 13:47-50)
Jesus states the Kingdom of God is like the farmer who sows the seeds, but an enemy comes and plants weeds among the good crop. As a result, the weeds and good crop grow together. The farmer declines pulling out the weeds to prevent damage to the good crop.
Later, Jesus disciples ask Jesus about this parable after Jesus left the crowd. It is interesting that this is the one with the recorded explanation. In contrast, Mark 4:34 states that Jesus explained all these parables.
Jesus explains that the sower is again the Son of Man. The enemy is the devil, the weeds are the devil's children, the harvesters are the angels, and the harvest is the end of the age. At the end of the age, the harvesters will take out all the weeds, meaning those that are evil and everything that causes evil. These will be thrown into a fiery pit while the good crop will remain with God.
Later in the chapter when he is alone with the disciples, Jesus brings up a similar parable about a net of fish. The net catches all kinds of fish and the fisherman separates the good fish from the bad.
Several things come to mind:
1. Jesus has changed the "harvester" due to the nature of the analogy. Compare the time with the Samaritan woman at the well, the "harvester" was a human being spreading the Gospel ("Harvest is full and the workers are few"). Here, "harvester" is angels. The difference explainable by the temporal difference - the end of the age (angel harvesters) versus this present age (humans are needed to spread the Gospel).
2. It is for the benefit of the good crop that the weeds are not pulled out now. This is sort of mind-blowing. I will wait to explain a bit more until we get to the parable of the prodigal son, as I think both parables carry the same meaning.
3. Jesus does not explain this hell-theology until he is with the disciples. This may have been a happy accident that the disciples asked him about it after the crowd has left. But, it is consistent with Jesus' pattern not to discuss hell except with his disciples and/or Pharisees.
The mustard seed and the yeast (Matthew 13:31-35; Mark 4:30-34)
Before explaining about the weeds, Jesus said two parables:
1. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which starts out small but grows so big that it provides shade for birds.
2. The Kingdom of God is like a bit of yeast that is sprinkled into an entire patch of dough.
Both parables are listed back to back in Matthew 13 and seem to carry the same message that the Kingdom of God is starting small but will grow to encompass the world. Here, one man speaks with a group followers. The group of followers will spread the message to others who will carry it further and so on.
A few other things come to mind. First, the mustard plant also alludes to the Jonah story as Jonah took shade under a plant. Second, the dough continues with the harvest-crop-theme since the dough for bread is made of harvested wheat.
Third, in the Old Testament, leavening and yeast symbolizes sin. In the lead up to Passover, the Israelites had to remove the leavened bread from their homes. However, yeast and leavening gives bread its flavor. If you ever tried Matzo bread, you will understand why it is less popular than normal bread. In some ways, this parable flips the analogy from the Old Testament association of yeast as it could also be understood that the Kingdom of God will provide flavor to the world.
The treasure and pearl (Matthew 13:44-46)
Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like where a man finds a treasure in the field, then sells everything to buy the field to own the treasure. Similarly, the Kingdom of God is like a man who collects pearls, finds a great pearl, and sells everything to buy the pearl.
I think the common interpretation is one of priorities. One should prioritize the Kingdom of God over all else. This is not to say that one sell all of one's possessions to enter the Kingdom of God, but rather it should be more important than one's material possessions.
The storeroom of treasures (Matthew 13:51-52)
Jesus asks his disciples if they understand everything he has said. They reply yes. Jesus then states that therefore the teachers of the law that understand the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who opens the storeroom in his house and brings out old and new treasures.
This seems to the final parable of the day before they leave on the boat and Jesus takes a nap. On one hand, this parable ties back to the very first parable of the day - the strongman in the home. In contrast to a whom with a strongman (demon), a person in the Kingdom of God has treasures within this heart that the enemy cannot steal. They are on full display and without fear of being robbed.
As for the old and new treasures, I think it means that of those within the Kingdom of God, there will be a continual onset of "treasures". In other words, the relationship with God has its own continuing rewards with increasing value (new treasures).
No comments:
Post a Comment