Co-teacher Curt did a good job yesterday of stimulating interaction in the class by asking questions. Using Matthew 11 and 12, he reviewed the different reactions to Jesus exhibited by John, others who believed, the religious leaders, who hated Him, and the majority of people that rejected Him as messiah. The contrast in acceptance or rejection of Jesus was made clear. Great interaction happened when Curt asked the class to fast forward and describe how people likewise respond to Jesus today.
Mark Rathel’s commentary on this week’s lesson, “Be Patient With Others”, picks up on the contrast in reactions to Jesus to explain the meaning of the parables given in Matthew 13:1-53. The people expected Messiah to bring judgment and establish His kingdom in a way that would restore glory to Israel. That didn’t happen.
Given the wrong assumptions derived thru inaccurate teaching, Jesus taught a set of parables to explain the true nature of the kingdom of Heaven. But He also chose this manner of teaching to force the people to think about what He was saying, and dialogue about it (and not be simply spoon fed). People grow by facing up to challenges. Believers will grow in understanding as they seek to grasp the central teachings of these parables.
The parable of the weeds offers a clear teaching about future judgment and reward in the kingdom. But it also offers us insight about patience. How have your actions in the past been guided by your wrong assessment of the future? In other words, you faced a choice, made some assumptions about the future, and then made a wrong choice based on what turned out to be incorrect assumptions? Did you pull weeds when you shouldn’t have?
Likewise, what decisions are you making today based on assumptions about the future that may or may not be correct?
Are you happy pulling weeds? Ask members what favorite thing they’d rather be doing than pulling weeds?
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