Scripture – “Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “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?’ “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 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 NIV
Observation – Jesus is telling us that the kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field. His enemy came at night and scattered weeds among the wheat. As the wheat began to grow so did the weeds. The farmer’s servants asked if they should pull up the weeds but the farmer said no because they might pull up the wheat along with the weeds. He told his servant to let them grow together and then at harvest time they would separate the weeds from the wheat and the weeds would be burned the fire and the wheat would be brought into the barn. Jesus provides the meaning of this parable in the following verses: “He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Matthew 13:37-43 NIV
Application – We are not to judge make final decisions on the souls of men. We strive to rely on the Holy Spirit, live holy lives, serve our fellow man and share the good news that God sent his son to die on a cross to pay for people’s sins and through repentance and faith in Jesus we can cross over from judgement to acceptance.
Prayer – Jesus, help me to look at people who are far from you with love and compassion, to appreciate how you made them and the talents you gave them and tell them about you. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 