Around the Camp Fire…Parables from King Jesus

Jesus told parables to teach deep truths in a way that those who could “hear” would understand. Read the parable of the weeds in Matthews 13:24-43. Remember, the people of the day where farmers and they knew all about throwing seed. Well, an enemy threw darnel seed amongst the wheat. This seed looked just like wheat until the ear began to appear. We live in a day of wheat and tare. We live in a world that makes it hard to differentiate between Christians and non-Christians. As sons of the Kingdom, we need to have a patient endurance while we wait and see evil prevailing in the world around us. Jesus reminds us in verse 40 that there will be judgement and an “end of the age”. There is a hell and there is an eternal separation from the Father for those that are not in Christ.

We need to live our lives in such a way that we have an awareness that judgement is coming.

Our Lord gives Common Grace to humanity. He loves all. He is the One who judges with kindness, fairness, love, but is also just. He doesn’t just have control over the church, but over the cosmos. He is the Creator and Sustainer, and loves all of His creation.

Those of us that are in Christ do not need to fear judgement and the “end of the age” because we know the end of the story. Remember, people are people, and they need the same Christ that you know!

To discuss as a family today

1. Discuss your feelings about those who intentionally bring harm to Christians. Do you want judgement or compassion for them? Why?

2. Discuss how your life would be different if you were raised in a community that had a different faith system. How does that thought impact your gratefulness for the opportunities that you have?

3. How is your life making a difference? Do you “shine like the sun”?

Prayer

Father, I confess to you that you are the Creator of the cosmos. You are kind, loving, and just. You judge with fairness. I admit that I have a problem loving ____________. Help me to have compassion for them as I know you love them just as much as you love me. I want to live my life with earnest that judgement is coming. I praise you that you made a way for me to live forever with you, and I want to share that joy with others. I commit to make sure that those around me know that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, convict my heart where needed so that I can live an abundant Life in Christ.