The parable of the weeds among the wheat (found in Matt 13:36-43) is about a situation when a farmer’s enemy secretly plants bad seeds in the field where this farmer has just planted good seeds of wheat. And as both of these types of good and bad seeds germinate and grow, the smart farmer tells his workers to leave these alone until harvest time because at this early stage and until the kernel of wheat actually appears, it is hard to distinguish the weeds from the wheat, because they all look the same at this stage.
Although this makes practical sense from a farming point of view, the disciples are curious what Jesus means, because Jesus starts off the parable by saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like this.” So, Jesus explains that the one who sowed good seed is Himself, the Son of Man, and the good seed are the people of the Kingdom; the enemy of Jesus is the devil and the weeds are the evil people. Now, Jesus points out that at the end of the age there will be a reckoning. The good news is that everything and everyone that causes sin and does evil will be thrown into hell, while the righteous will be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven.
When I think about this lesson, the obvious thing that comes to my mind is that I’m not surprised that evil exists where there is good. We see it not only in this world; we see it even in ourselves, right?
LET’S BE DISCERNING OF THE EVIL IN US AND AROUND US
Speaking of the evil in ourselves, it is important that we do NOT interpret this parable to mean that we should be indifferent to the evil that is in us. No. In fact, the prevailing instruction is for us to repent and believe in the cleansing power of the gospel, and to put to death whatever is earthly, ungodly and evil in ourselves, and by the power of the Holy Spirit be born again as new men and women in Christ. And though this is a lifelong journey of transformation day by day by day, the sooner we walk by the Spirit, the better.
The second thing that comes to mind is that Jesus reminds us that more often than not, it’s not that easy to discern good from evil, and evil from good. Evil and good are not always that obvious. In our own actions and intentions, it’s hard enough; more so when we look at how other people behave. And this is why we need to be careful not to judge and react too quickly to what we dislike or what seems offensive to us. We need to be slow to anger, but abound in steadfast love just like the Lord God Himself is. In the same way that God gave each of us opportunities for repentance and conversion, we should not be quick to judge or condemn others, but instead, extend mercy and pray for their transformation.
This can actually be humbling for us who feel that we are called to make this world a better place, right? This parable teaches us that we can’t do it all. We can’t fix all of our neighbor’s problems, or our loved ones’ problems, or society’s problems. Even if we were in charge. As I said, most of us have a hard time fixing our own problems, what more other people’s problems?
WE ARE SENT INTO A BATTLE
But that doesn’t mean we should be indifferent to the presence of evil. Whether that is at a personal level – like the breakdown in relationships, the anger, the verbal, the physical, the emotional abuse that takes place. Or whether that is at a community level, and issues of homelessness, poverty, discrimination, crime, or even at a global level like the destruction of the environment or the ease with which nations resort to violence and war. We may not get rid of evil entirely. That’s God’s job.
But the Lord sends us into battle and we are expected to fight. Evil must be taken seriously, and we need to arm ourselves for battle, and fight with a discerning spirit, on a day to day basis, knowing that Jesus WILL be victorious in the end. And that final victory is the root of our hope as warriors in the battle between good and evil. The victory belongs to Jesus. And you can be sure that Jesus will include in His victory parade those who fought the good fight of faith side by side with Him. And this hope is what gives us confidence to act now, to stand up for what is right and true against what is evil and false now, to pray and live out those words of the Lord’s Prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We can do that now in the full confidence that one day justice will prevail.
SOW SEEDS OF GOODNESS
Which brings me to my third and last point. My friends, knowing that Christ will be victorious in the end, we need to continue to sow the seeds of God’s grace, mercy, and love in our homes and in our communities. Our job is simply to sow the seeds of the kingdom, and not to worry about whether the seeds fall on good soil or rocky ground. Or whether the weeds will grow among the wheat. But we need to live lives of love, lives that cry out against the evil in the world and lives that long for God’s mercy on all people. We conquer evil with love, knowing that love conquers all. We need to live virtuously and bear fruits of love, kindness, and compassion and put this into action.
And finally, we are called to bring the good news of the kingdom to the world, the good news about God’s grace and mercy, the good news about His promise of ultimate victory.
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