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Wheat and Weeds

Writer's picture: Brian DoyleBrian Doyle

This morning, I was reading some of Jesus’ teachings, and one parable that caught my eye was that of the man who had planted a field, and, while he was sleeping, an enemy came up and planted tares among the wheat. The servants of the man, noticing the weeds, asked if they should go to the field and pluck up the weeds, to which the master replied “let it all grow together, so that you don’t dig up the wheat along with the weeds.” This verse struck me on several different levels.

First and foremost, it tells me that planting, watering and harvesting are delicate work. You have to be careful in how its done, or you might spoil the crop in the process. Secondly, if the one who plant cares about his yield, he’s willing to be patient, for a time, so that the best possible outcome will occur. Third, the enemy is permitted a limited victory; in the end, the Planter wins. And, lastly, the weeds are permitted among the fruitful crop, might seem like part of the crop, may think its part of the crop, but in the end, it is bundled separately, and thrown in the fire.

Jesus understands the process requires patience. Just because something isn’t dealt with today, doesn’t mean that it won’t be when the harvest is brought in. He cares about the yield: he won’t remove some of the weeds for the sake of the wheat growing alongside it. Satan may seem victorious for a moment, but it’s only for a moment. What he plants is burned away, eventually. And, Jesus permits weeds to grow in his field, but its only for a time. So I say guard your heart, submit yourself to God, pray you bear fruit, and are not merely a weed among the wheat. Seek first the Kingdom. Seek God’s glory, and not your own. Pray to abide, that you may bear fruit.

Matthew 13:24-30

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 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?’ 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?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 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.”’”

John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.




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