Eighth Sunday after Pentecost — Proper 11 (2026)

WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANS DIFFERENT?

Part 3: CHRISTIANS LIVE AS WHEAT AMONG WEEDS

Matthew 13:24-30; Matthew 13:36-43; Isaiah 44:6-11; Romans 1:18-25.

GOAL

That hearers trust God’s promises and remain faithful amid evil, suffering, and opposition, confident that Christ has neither abandoned His field nor forgotten His people and that He will bring a perfect harvest on the Last Day.

MALADY

Living among weeds, we become discouraged and impatient. We see evil prosper, suffering continue, illness persist, and unbelief flourish. We are tempted to doubt God’s care, question His timing, or seek refuge in idols that promise immediate comfort and control.

MEANS

Jesus Christ, our King, Redeemer, and Rock, entered a world overrun by weeds and conquered sin, death, and the devil through His cross and resurrection. He continues to preserve His people through His Word and promises and will separate wheat from weeds at the final harvest when He makes all things new.

Theme Sentence

Christians live patiently among the weeds because they know the Lord of the harvest has not abandoned His field.

Introduction

"WHY DOES GOD LET THE WEEDS GROW?"

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

As we gather this morning, we bring with us another week of struggles, questions, and reminders that this world is broken.

Last Sunday in our sermon series we learned what makes Christians different. We are different in that

Christians are planted by the Word of Christ.

Faith is not self-produced. Faith is planted, it is watered, and nourished by Christ Himself.

But today a troubling question arises.

-What happens after the seed begins to grow?

-What happens when the wheat looks around and discovers it is surrounded by weeds?

Jesus tells us exactly what happens. An enemy entered the field.

He sows weeds among the wheat.

And suddenly the servants in today’s gospel reading begin asking the same questions we ask: “Why is evil still here? “Why does suffering linger? “Why doesn’t God simply remove the weeds?”

And perhaps most painfully: “If God is good, why doesn’t He remove the weeds?”

Those questions aren’t new. God’s people have been asking them for centuries.

And Jesus doesn’t ignore them. He tells a parable that shows us exactly what kind of field we’re living in and why it looks the way it does.

Part I

THE FIELD IS NOT WHAT WE EXPECT

The servants in Jesus’ parable are shocked.

Matthew 13:27 NKJV

“Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?”

To put it another way: “If You're good, why is there evil?” “If You're powerful, why are there weeds?”

The master’s answer is simple:

Matthew 13:28 NKJV

“An enemy has done this.”

Notice what Jesus does not say.

He does not deny the weeds.

He does not pretend evil isn’t real.

And He certainly doesn’t minimize suffering we experience.

He simply identifies its source.

There is an enemy. There is a devil. There is one who delights in corruption, destruction, and death.

Romans 1 shows us what happens when people reject God: they exchange the truth for lies, the Creator for creation, worship for idolatry, life for death.

The weeds are everywhere—not only “out there,” but also in here.

You see, Romans 1 is not just about “those people.” It is a mirror. By nature we too exchange the truth of God for lies whenever we build our lives on anything other than Christ.

Even our own sinful flesh bears the marks of the enemy’s work;

the same devil who sows weeds in the world is also attacking us. And our old Adam—our sinful flesh—wants to live like a weed even though Christ has made us wheat.

And yet, Jesus says in

Matthew 13:30 NKJV

“Let both grow together until the harvest.”

The servants want to rush into the field and start pulling weeds. But think what that would mean: how many tender shoots of wheat would be inadvertently ripped up with them? How many future believers would be lost? How often would you and I have been cut down in our unbelief?

God’s “not yet” is not weakness. It is mercy. He delays judgment so that more may be rescued before the harvest comes—not because He is soft on evil, but because He is merciful toward sinners. He is patient for the sake of the wheat—for you, and for those who do not yet believe.

Part II

THE WEEDS DO NOT OWN THE FIELD

The servants’ question in the parable is the same question God’s people still ask:

“If You sowed the good seed, why are there weeds?”

We put the question in many forms: “Why is there evil?” “Why is there suffering?” “If Christ is Lord, why does it sometimes seem as though the weeds are winning?”

That is exactly where Isaiah 44 speaks.

Notice that Isaiah does not begin with the weeds.

He begins with God.

The Lord says:

Isaiah 44:6 NKJV

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God.”

What is God doing?

He is reminding His people who still owns the field.

Because the real question isn’t whether weeds exist. We all can see the weeds.

The real question is:

Who is still in charge of the field?

Jesus said, The devil sowed the weeds. But the devil does not own the field.

Evil surrounds us. But evil does not own the field.

Unbelief grows around us. But unbelief does not own the field.

Cancer and kidney failure may inhabit the field. But it does not own the field.

Death itself may stalk through the field. But death does not own the field either.

Christ does — He owns the field.

That is why Isaiah piles title upon title.

King.

Redeemer.

Lord Almighty.

First and Last.

Rock.

Each title answers a different fear.

As King, Christ still rules the field.

As Redeemer, He has purchased His people with His own blood.

As Lord Almighty, He possesses resources beyond anything we can see.

As the First and the Last, He stands at both ends of history.

And as the Rock, He remains unmoved while everything else around us shifts and crumbles.

So Isaiah asks:

Isaiah 44:8 NASB95

“Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock?”

And the answer is obvious.

No.

There is no other God. There is no other Rock. There is no other refuge. There is no other Savior. There is no other Lord of the harvest.

Yet that does not stop our sinful flesh from searching for rocks of our own.

For some, the “rock” is a savings account; for others, a political movement; for others, the illusion of health and control.

We reach for anything that promises peace apart from Christ. But every false rock eventually crumbles.

None of these things can carry you through judgment or give you life. Only the Lord of the harvest can.

Luther was right: “A god is whatever we fear, love, and trust above all things.”

And the temptation grows strongest when the weeds seem overwhelming. —When suffering lingers. —When prayers appear unanswered. —When evil seems unchecked. —When life becomes difficult.

This kidney failure and heart failure that I’m dealing with can be overwhelming and get the better of me. Today, following worship, I’m back in the car heading to Bismarck’s ER to have them address the catheter, or port, they use for dialysis. I was told yesterday I couldn’t receive my treatment because my catheter has changed positions. I called Bismarck told me yesterday that they will more than likely have to reinsert it Monday. The weeds can seems overwhelming indeed.

Remember, what we all must remember during those challenging days, “the weeds cannot save the wheat.”

Only the Lord of the harvest can. And that is why Isaiah points us back to the One who still reigns over the field.

The weeds are real. But so is Jesus Christ.

And the weeds do not own the field. Christ does.

Part III

THE HARVEST IS COMING

Now we can understand why the servants’ solution in Jesus’ parable is not the Master’s solution.

The servants want immediate action. They ask,

Matthew 13:28 NIV84

“Do you want us to go and pull them up?”

And we understand that question. We would love for evil to be removed now.

We want God to eliminate all suffering now.

To heal every disease now. To silence every false teacher now. To end every injustice now.

But the Master says:

Matthew 13:30 NASB95

“Allow both to grow together until the harvest.”

That answer can sound disappointing until Jesus explains the parable:

The field is the world.

The wheat are the children of God.

The weeds are the children of the evil one.

The enemy is the devil.

The harvest is the end of the age.

And the harvesters are the angels.

In other words, God has a plan.

The weeds are present, but they are only temporary.

The suffering is present, but it is temporary.

The opposition is present, but it is temporary.

Because the field belongs to Christ, He has already determined how the story ends:

Every weed will be dealt with. Every evil will be judged. Every falsehood will be exposed. Every injustice will be answered. Every tear will be wiped away. Every disease will end. Every grave will surrender its dead.

Dear friends, nothing planted by the evil one will survive the harvest. Nothing.

And if you fear that you are more weed than wheat, remember:

you are baptized.

Christ has claimed you as His own.

You are not wheat because you feel strong, but because He has planted you by His Word and washed you in His Name. You belong to the Master of the field.

Because Christ owns the field, Christians can live patiently, faithfully, fruitfully, and with hope—even while surrounded by weeds. Not because the weeds are harmless, but because the harvest is certain.

Part IV

THE LORD OF THE HARVEST ENTERED THE FIELD

The most remarkable thing about our Lord is that the Owner of the field entered the field Himself.

Jesus came into a world overrun with weeds. He lived among them, suffered among them, was opposed by them, mocked by them, rejected by them, and finally crucified by them.

Because He has walked through the weeds Himself—suffering, betrayal, grief—He is no distant landowner watching from afar, but a Brother who knows your pain from the inside.

At Calvary it appeared as though the weeds had won.

It appeared as though evil had triumphed. It appeared as though death owned the field. But appearances were deceiving.

Because Three days later the tomb stood empty. Which means: —The Redeemer lives. —The Rock still stands. —The King still reigns. —The First and the Last has conquered death itself.

And Easter declares forever: The weeds do not own the field. Christ does.

Now the risen Lord continues caring for His wheat: through preaching, through Baptism, through Absolution, through His Supper.

He preserves His people, strengthens their faith, forgives their sins, and prepares them for the harvest to come.

Not one stalk belonging to Him will be lost. NOT ONE.

Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters,

The weeds are real: the suffering, illness, opposition, grief, and unbelief. But so is Christ.

The message of the world says: “The weeds are winning.”

But Christ says: “The harvest is coming.”

The world may try and convince us saying: “Evil will always remain.”

But Christ says: “I am making all things new.”

The world encourages us saying: “Find another rock.”

Yet Christ says:

“Is there any Rock besides Me? I know of none.”

What makes Christians different?

Christians live as wheat among weeds.

Yet we do not despair. For the weeds do not own the field. Christ does.

And because Christ owns the field, we can wait with confidence for the day when the harvest comes and the wheat will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

In the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Lord of the harvest, You have planted us by Your holy Word and made us members of Your kingdom through Holy Baptism. Preserve Your Church throughout the world, that she may remain faithful while living among the weeds of unbelief, false teaching, and evil. Keep us steadfast in Your promises until the day when You gather all Your wheat into Your everlasting kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

King of Israel, our Redeemer and our Rock, remind us daily that though evil surrounds us, it does not rule over us. When we become discouraged by suffering, injustice, or the apparent success of wickedness, fix our eyes upon Christ, who reigns over His field and whose victory over sin, death, and the devil is complete. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of Hosts, bless all pastors, missionaries, teachers, and church workers who faithfully sow the seed of Your Word. Grant them courage to proclaim Christ with boldness and patience to trust that You alone give the growth according to Your gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, bless the homes of Your people. Strengthen husbands and wives, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, that Your Word may dwell richly among them. In a world where weeds grow alongside the wheat, preserve Christian families in the true faith and make them steadfast witnesses to Your grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of all nations, grant wisdom, integrity, and humility to those who govern. Restrain evil, protect the innocent, uphold justice, and preserve peace. Help all who serve in positions of authority to recognize that every earthly power is accountable to You, the First and the Last, the only true God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Compassionate Savior, You entered this broken field Yourself and know the suffering of Your people. Look with mercy upon all who are sick, grieving, lonely, or burdened in any way. Sustain Pastor Greg as he continues to bear the burden of chronic kidney disease and heart failure. Strengthen him through Your holy Word, uphold him by Your grace, grant wisdom to those entrusted with his medical care, and fill him with the peace that comes from knowing that nothing—not even illness—can separate him from Your love in Christ Jesus. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Faithful Redeemer, prepare us to receive with thankful hearts the gifts You freely give in Your Word and Sacraments. As You continually forgive our sins, strengthen our faith, and nourish us with Christ's own body and blood, keep us steadfast until that joyful day when the weeds are removed forever and all Your saints shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting not in our own strength, but in Your steadfast mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.