My Brand New Ford Pinto

A Series on the parables of Jesus
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 

[During the first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]

  

In 1972, I bought the very first car that I ever owned… a brown Ford Pinto. 

That December, I was driving on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. It was dusk, with freshly fallen snow on the ground.

 

As I drove down a slight hill, another car approached the intersection from the cross street. We both put our breaks on and slid to a stop on the snow-covered streets. It was a very close call with his car less than a foot from hitting the passenger side front bumper of my car… my brand new Ford Pinto.

 

But then, he backed up his car, looked at me through his front windshield, put his car into drive and rammed into the side of my car! Unbelievable! This is the most similar incident in my life that comes close to Jesus’ parable of the weeds.

In his parable, a farmer planted good seed in his field. That night, the farmer’s enemy planted weeds in the very same field, sabotaging his crop. Jesus explained to his disciples that the farmer who planted the good seed was the Son of Man and the enemy who tried to destroy his crop was the evil one, Satan.

Jesus is giving them the big picture of life where there’s a battle for good against evil and a final judgement. He was more direct when he put it like this.

 

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.            John 10 NIV

 

Paul wrote about this spiritual battle in his letter to the believers of Ephesus.

 

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.             Ephesians 6 NIV

 

Reading and meditating on God’s word, being accountable to other believers and prayer are a part of the full armor of God that will help you to stand. “So that, when the day of evil comes – when some crazy guy rams your brand new car – you can stand your ground, and after you have done everything… to stand!”

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams