“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn. Matthew 13:27-30 (NLT)
Tis the season for weeding! We cast our seed in late spring and eagerly await our first signs of hope filled sprouts of green. It isn’t until much later in the season that we begin to differentiate between the greenery of fresh blooms and that of pesky weeds. This reminds me of Matthew 13 and the parable on gardening… yes, there is wise advice even applicable to gardening in the Bible! (It really is the only Book anyone ever needs to own!)
Matthew 13:28 reveals over eager farm hands. “Should we pull out the weeds?” For all the “doer’s” out there this seems like a logical step for when we see weeds in our garden! However the Sower of the “seed” has much more wisdom in discerning weeds from the wheat.
You see, when wheat first begins to sprout, it appears green just like the weeds. Wheat does not take on the golden appearance until it has time to mature. An inexperienced, yet well meaning farm hand could accidentally pull up good wheat along with the weeds!
As the parable is explained the “wheat” represents those who have received Jesus as their Savior and the “weeds” are those that have rejected Him. Only God sees a heart and understands one’s motives in entirety (Hebrews 4:13). Only God sees one’s full potential and understands their growth cycle and timing for full maturity (Philippians 1:6); He alone understands everything beginning to end (Revelation 22:13). God alone can make a stony heart beat with Truth (Ezekiel 36:26).
God has wisely said, weed pulling is not our job. Rest assured there will be a harvest, but that is a job we need not concern ourselves with. We are to lovingly tend His “garden”, caring for His people sown in His image (Genesis 1:27).
Who knows…
with just enough Living Water lovingly applied…
where once wound only weeds…
one day may wield wheat to our surprise!
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
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