The Weeds

 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

Living in the Bible belt among many fundamentalist denominations, I tend to hear verses like these used as "proof" that God will send most of his children to hell.  It was so good to hear a good mainline denomination (Lutheran, in this case) sermon on the topic.  Thanks, Chad!

If we look at the parable, we see that the "enemy" sowed the weeds, not the farmer.  The weeds don't necessarily symbolize "bad people."  The weeds that the enemy sows are things like hate, greed, envy, addictions, .... and all the rest that wreak havoc on the wheat.

These are the things we have to deal with in our world.  We have to try to do God's work even though these weeds try to choke us as we attempt to thrive and grow.  We are stuck with these weeds and they have become a part of each of us.  We all struggle with our own weeds, don't we?  

But at harvest time, these weeds WILL be separated from us.  There will be no more hate or depression or addictions... or any other of the enemy's weeds.  For now, we will have to do our best work in spite of them and learn to recognize when one or more of the weeds are overtaking us and our work for the kingdom.

This is why we need Christian community.  We can help one another when we see the weeds taking over.  Without our brothers and sisters, we don't have a chance.

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for the parables you have given us.  Thank you that they almost always bring new insight each time we read them.  Help us in our fight against our weeds today.  Amen.

Joys:  5 mile mountain hike yesterday; so many babies in church!; looking forward to a weekend with Florida family