IntroductionThe Parable of the Soils The parable of the good soil introduces us to the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew as the writer of this parable made it clear that not all people who have heard the gospel accepted it and allow it to grow and bear fruits. This truth help us realized what kind of soil we are? Is the word of the Lord continuously growing in our lives and bearing its fruit?
The following are the truths that we can find from the Bible coming from the parables that were told to us by Jesus Christ himself. We will be seeing truths concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. These truths were called mysteries because these truths were hidden to many and to most of the people. And these truths were only disclosed to those who believed (v.11)
The Kingdom of Heaven is Pure
The Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30)
Jesus gave an explanation to this parable (Matthew 13:36-43). The field is the world. The one who sow good seeds is Son of Man and the good seeds stand for the sons of the Kingdom. On the other hand, the weeds stand for the sons of the wicked while the one who sows them is the devil. The end of the age is the harvest and the harvesters will be the angels.
Jesus is pointed out in this parable that all the weeds will be separated from the wheat to be burned where there will be gnashing of teeth.
The Parable of the Dragnet (Matthew 13:47-50)
Similarly to the parable of the weeds, the parable of the dragnet tells us about the Kingdom of Heaven. It is like a dragnet that gathers all the fish. Then the angels will come to identify the good fish from the bad one. The bad will be thrown into the furnace where there will be gnashing of teeth.
The Kingdom of Heaven as we can picture from these two parables, is a place where evil will not exist because the incoming dwellers were purified, and have undergone a process. It’s like having quality control before we can go to heaven. Judgment to all will surely come. All of us will face the Lord of hosts.
Note here that we live among the people who were not of Christ. In this world, perhaps, there were more people who do not have Christ than those who have. Even then, these parables teach us that we have to pursue righteousness even if others do not, even if others cannot, and even if others will not. We have to continue living in accordance to his will. For the hope that we profess will surely come.
Take note here, that these parables did not mention anything nor gave a hint about purgatory. Once we were identified as “bad” we will be thrown into the furnace of fire where there will be gnashing of teeth. On the other hand, if we will be identified as the good, we will be with the Lord.
In the light of these things, therefore we must live in accordance to the will of the Lord. There will be trials and even competitions while we grow for we live among men. But judgment will come and the Lord of the harvest will separate us from the rest.
Many people thought that they can purify themselves with good works and sacrifices. This is a big mistake. It is because no one can be saved by his own work. It is only by grace through faith that we have been saved (Ephesians 2:8).
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