We Live Among Weeds, Until Harvest Time

The Parable of the Weeds : Matthew 13:24-30

I was thinking about injustice and suffering and wondering as most people do, why does an all-powerful God not stop evil people by getting rid of them. After asking God about it my eyes fell on The Parable of the Weeds. It goes like this:

²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

I thought about what it meant when the wheat and weeds are stuck together and intertwined. Then I remembered God’s patience. He could just yank up the weeds before harvest but then they would not have a chance to become wheat. Once we turn to God, He gives us His Spirit and we are no longer weeds but wheat. I realized I used to be a weed. I used to be a mean person. I used to be selfish. I used to do things that were not nice. Then God came into my life and I became His wheat. Would I have wanted God to yank me up before that moment? Everyone at one point has been a weed, and until God changes someone by giving that person His Spirit, that person will remain a weed. We have all done evil things and those things deserve the punishment of death. The weeds were destined for the fire. As doers of evil we were destined for hell. Through the sacrifice of Jesus we can choose to be forgiven and by God's grace be transformed into His children and be brought into His presence like the wheat. God is patient not wanting anyone to die.  Consider the following verses in Ezekiel  chapter 18.

23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

He is waiting until the last moment before He has the weeds destroyed. The Harvest is coming and then He will take care of evil for good. 

James 5:7-11

⁷ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. ⁸ You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. ⁹ Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. ¹⁰ As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.