What Jesus Did! 'Leaving the Crowd Behind' — Matthew 13:36-39

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, "Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field."

Jesus replied, "The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels."

— Matthew 13:36-39 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus leaves the crowd. They will not own him. They will not even be the source of his greatest or most important ministry the rest of his life on earth. He will focus on his disciples. They are his work because they can continue it after him. He will pour himself into shaping them and preparing them for a life of ministry. Once again Jesus reminds the disciples that their ministry and his church will live in a real world where many people do not follow him. In fact, those who don't follow him are under the rule of Satan to some extent or another (Ephesians 2:1-3; Matthew 6:24). Although we are in the world, we are not tied to the world. Although the world may at times offer things that look like authentic faith, those things are nothing more than Satan's deceptive mirages. Our goal is to live faithfully for Jesus and make a difference in the lives of those who are in the world and bring them into the Kingdom of light and prepare them for the day of the Lord's harvest.

Today's Prayer

Most powerful and holy God, help me to understand what is at stake in the lives of people who do not know you as Lord. Please give me a passion to work with Jesus in liberating them from the bondage under which Satan holds them. Through your Spirit, please stir my passion and my insight and my timing so that I can be used by you to make a difference in the lives of my friends and others who are not a part of the Kingdom family. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Colossians 1:10-14
  • Matthew 5:13-16
  • John 14:17-21

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 13:36-39 NLT — "Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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