1. The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. When the wheat began to grow, so did the weeds. The owner of the field didn’t want to pull up the weeds, lest he also uproot the wheat. Instead, he waited until harvest time to separate the two. This story reminds us that despite the presence of evil in the world, God’s kingdom will ultimately triumph.
2. The Curse of Thorns and Thistles (Genesis 3:17-19)
When Adam and Eve sinned, one of the consequences was that the ground would produce thorns and thistles along with the crops. This story illustrates the idea that sin has a lasting impact on creation, and that the earth groans under the weight of our disobedience.
3. The Israelites and the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16)
The Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land when the Amalekites attacked them. Moses sent Joshua and some men to fight while he stood on a hill overlooking the battle. When Moses held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed, but when he lowered them, the Amalekites gained ground. To help Moses, his brother Aaron and another man held up his hands until sunset. The Israelites ultimately won the battle, but it was a reminder that they needed God’s help to overcome their enemies.
4. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23)
In this parable, a sower goes out to sow seed. Some falls on the path and is eaten by birds, some falls on rocky ground and withers, some falls among thorns and is choked out, and some falls on good soil and produces a crop. Jesus explains that the seed represents the word of God, and the various soils represent different types of people. The thorns represent the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth, which can choke out the word and make it unfruitful. This story challenges us to examine our own hearts and remove anything that might hinder our spiritual growth.
