Weeds

Nov. 26

Read: Matt. 13:24-30

Weeds

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away…” (v.24,25)

For a season, the Kingdom of God is the sort of place where “weeds and wheat” grow next to each other. In fact, the “weeds and the wheat” are so close to one another that going out into “the field” and pulling out the weeds would risk tearing up the wheat as well. (cf. v.29) As crazy as it may sound, it is best for the wheat right now to be allowed to grow next to the weeds. It will not always be this way in the KOG, but for now the “sons and daughters of the Kingdom” patiently wait for the “day of harvest”. (v.13:30,38)

This may not seem like a very good idea to us…to allow the “weeds and the wheat” to coexist for a season together. It didn’t seem like a good idea to the servants in the parable either!

(v.27,28) Take notice of how they questioned their master: “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?” The truth of the matter is that the master DID sow good seeds, but there is an enemy that comes and sows weeds. (v.24,25) The Kingdom of God is the sort of place that - for now - has enemies within it that are working against the master. They are sowing weeds among he wheat. The very presence of these evil enemies and disruptive “weeds” may cause us to question the master’s seeds and planting method. 1Corinthians tells us that these enemies are actively being bought under the feet of King Jesus: “Then comes the end, when (Jesus) delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (15:24-26)

The Kingdom of God is the wort of place where all the enemies of the King will one day be destroyed and those faithful children of the Kingdom will enjoy life without corruption, tears, pain, war, hunger, sickness, and the like. This is the culmination of the Kingdom of God… this is where WE are headed. We must never allow the presence of “weeds” around us to distract us from the hope of where we are heading. All of these weeds will be gathered up and burnt one day! (v.30) It is not our job to “pull weeds” in the Kingdom - it is our job to grow TALL and BEAR GRAIN (bear “fruit”). With each passing day as we grow we look more and more DIFFERENT from the “weeds”. On the day of harvest, will you look like “wheat”?

The presence of evil and the enemies of God around us can be discouraging. It may cause us to question God’s wisdom in allowing it all to grow in the same field. Do not lose heart, the harvest will come. Remember it is NOT our job to be “weed pullers”, it is our job to grow in the likeness of what we truly are: children of God… children of the Kingdom… “wheat”. The farmer is looking out for you… he will not let you be destroyed… don’t let the presence of adversity trick you into thinking that the master is unaware. He is tracking with what is going on … and has a plan. May we spend more time “growing” and less time “pulling”. Love you all. - JDP