24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
Matthew 13:24-30
Turn on your tv and you will not have to wait long to see evil. Walk down the street and there is evidence all around us. We live in a broken world. Have you ever wondered why God allows it all to continue? War, violence, persecution, racism, disunity, abuse, sickness, death, poverty, the list could go on. How can He just sit there and watch all the evil and do nothing to stop it?
Jesus’ answer to this question is love. If God was to destroy everything that is sinful, then he would have to destroy me and you. Because sin has been scattered into our world like weeds amongst the wheats. So, God gives us time to grow and reveal our fruit. Are we part of the kingdom harvest or are we weeds that are undermining it? They both look the same at first but over time the differences become more and more apparent. The good seed is someone who ‘hears the word and understands it.’(v23) They are living as followers of Jesus, obeying his teachings and following his way. They are children of the kingdom of heaven.
My experience is that I was a weed, who lived completely for myself. I chased after everything that I believed would bring me happiness but all I felt was emptiness and distance. There was something missing and I discovered that one night when I called out to God for help. I decided to follow him and everything has changed. An encounter with Jesus changed my life. I am far from perfect, but I can see good fruit where there was none before. I am amazed to say that the weed in me died and God has made me wheat. I was part of the problem but I turned away from that life and am now following Jesus. Imperfectly but with integrity.
Jesus teaches that God allows evil for a season but that there will come a time when he will say, enough is enough. ‘The angels will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.’(v41). There will come a day when everything will be made right and everything that is evil will be destroyed. However, God’s love for his creation means that he is patient, wanting as many to be saved as possible.
Reflect
- How does the idea that God will destroy all evil make you feel?
- What is the difference between weeds and wheat?
- In what way have you seen weeds become wheat in your life?
Respond
Pause and pray. Jesus teaches us to pray for more of the kingdom and for protection from evil. Take some time to pray for your community. Think about specific places and people and ask God to sow kingdom seeds and protect them from the damage of weeds.
