Weeds in the Garden

I love spring time. With the exception of allergies, spring is a great time of year.

This is the season where life begins. The trees start budding, and then flowering and then leaves come. The grass is growing and needs to be cut. The sound of lawnmowers and the smell of freshly cut grass. The farmers with their big tractors plowing and fertilizing their fields preparing the ground for planting.

I’m getting ready to plant my garden in a few weeks. I’ll be tilling the soil, adding manure and top soil but it seems like every year we tend to deal with 2 things… the deer and the weeds.

Jesus taught a lot about the Kingdom of God through farming. In first century Judea, when Jesus walked the earth, they probably dealt with the same thing when planting a garden. Weeds can simply take over a garden.

In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus teaches a parable about this very thing called the Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat.

Matthew 13:24–30 ESV

24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

PRAY

Jesus illustrates the coexistence of good and evil in the world through the story of a farmer who sows good seed, only to find that an enemy has sown weeds among them. This parable teaches us about patience and discernment in the face of spiritual opposition until the final harvest.

The “weed” Jesus referred to may have been darnel. Darnel is a poisonous plant that looks a lot like wheat in the early stages of growth, but becomes distinguishable when the heads of the wheat appear.

A heavy infestation of darnel would cause the roots of both plants to become entangled.

To sow darnel in a person’s wheat field was punishable by Roman law.

Jesus gave his audience a real life picture of God’s kingdom growing and thriving alongside evil in this world.

As Believers we must understand our role in a world where good and evil exist side by side.

We must trust in God’s timing and the assurance that ultimate justice will be served in His kingdom.

Our job as believers is to remain focused on spreading the Gospel while recognizing that judgment belongs to God. That’s why it’s so important to cultivate our faith and remain steadfast in the face of challenges and trials.

Here we see Christ as the ultimate judge who will separate the righteous from the wicked at the end of the age. The theme of redemption and the hope that, through Christ, believers are assured of their place in the kingdom despite the presence of sin in the world.

In a world filled with both good and evil, as followers of Christ we are called to patiently trust in God's ultimate justice while actively spreading His love and truth. Resting in the assurance that Christ will bring about a final harvest.

1. Sowing Seeds is A Heavenly Task

Matthew 13:24–25 ESV

24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

The kingdom of heaven is like a farmer sowing good seeds. We are called to sow good seeds but just because we are following Jesus, it doesn’t mean that we will be protected from the enemy’s schemes. Their is a coexistence of God's work and opposition from evil.

Remember that in parables, not every item needs to be interpreted; some details are added to give color.

That the enemy came while everybody was asleep does not indicate neglect on anyone’s part;

That he went away does not indicate his absence.

These details are intended to highlight the cunning and malicious intent of Satan.

Even as Jesus introduces us to that reality, as believers we are commanded to sow seeds of faith and goodness, despite evil's presence.

The initial sowing represents the ongoing call to spread the Gospel.

Jesus reminds us as HIS followers that when we are faithfully sowing that will eventually lead to a righteous harvest.

Sowing seeds in a heavenly task…

2. Surprising Intruder: The Evil Among Us

Matthew 13:26–28 ESV

26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’

The servants knew that the master had sown good seed. Some weeds were expected but the heavy infestation of weeds was suspect.

They asked, “how could there be so many weeds?” “Were did all theses weeds come from?”

Who are the weeds? Jesus would soon explain that “the weeds are the sons of the evil one” Matthew 13:38.

They may be people in the church who appear to be believers but backbite, slander, gossip, cause division, live a secret life.

To interpret the meaning more broadly—the kingdom of God is present and growing in a world full of sin and unbelief.

If God is good and all-powerful, where does evil come from, and why is evil permitted?

God does not generate evil. God is good and ought not be identified with evil at all.

Let God be concerned about understanding evil deeply and thoroughly.

When we seek in-depth understanding of evil (by watching movies or reading books), we risk real damage to the heart, soul, and mind.

Spiritual “warfare” is normal, not odd or surprising. Enemies actively oppose one another.

When sin and unbelief seem so strong, don’t try to figure out where they originated. We know Satan is our enemy. Instead, trust God and be determine to follow HIM.

Jesus highlights the revelation and acknowledgment of evil's presence among what is good.

Jesus taught these things to make us aware of evil but we must be careful that our awareness does not lead to complacency or despair.

Be assured that Jesus already knows the reality of evil's intrusion but HE also remains with those who trust in HIM.

Let that truth embolden you as you hold fast to their identity in Christ amid challenges, focusing on the ultimate victory of good over evil. We win at the end!

3. Steadfast Patience: Awaiting the Harvest

Matthew 13:28–30 ESV

28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

Satan, is always working to obstruct the growth of God’s kingdom.

The enemy caused a problem, but the weeds could not stop the growth of the wheat. The wheat just grew alongside the weeds. So the servants dutifully asked if they should go and pull up the weeds.

Sometimes we want to handle things our way instead of trusting God’s way. We revert to anger, malice, revenge, even murder. In the moment we think it would be easier to remove the weed on our own. God wants us to know that the weeds give us an opportunity to deepen our faith and give us a healthy dependance on the Lord.

Matthew 13:29 “29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.”

If only God would just pull out those weeds. Life would be so much easier without those weeds but God is using those weeds to develop patience and confidence in HIM.

God's timing allows us greater opportunity for growth until the harvest.

Remember that God is just and HIS judgment is never to late and it’s never premature.

Be strong as believers, put your hope in Jesus, and the ultimate judge, will right every wrong.

Our victory is guaranteed so be strong and endure and remain faithful all the days of your life.

There is also a final judgement. We will all stand before the Lord and give an account.

Later, Jesus explains this parable to HIS disciples.

Matthew 13:37–43 ESV

37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Don’t give up, let the Lord strengthen you, keep your faith rooted in Jesus, don’t throw in the towel, Eternity is at stake. We are on the winning side as long as we are following Jesus.

It’s not going to be easy but it’s always going to be worth it!

Take Away:

Are you aware of those weeds and are they distracting you from your faith?

Are you seeing the weeds as opportunities to deepen your roots in Jesus?

Do you need God to develop patience knowing that for those who remain in Christ, victory is assured?