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Jesus’ teaching on weeds has got to be one of the most bizarre parables ever. He tells us that there are people in the church that don’t have an eternity with Him. He tells us that they got there because they were placed there by the enemy. He tells us that the enemy did this while God’s servants were sleeping.
So let’s get the weeds out, right?
Jesus seems to be pretty insistent that He be the one that gets them out…on His timetable, His way. We don’t. Why? Because we can’t tell the difference between wheat and weeds. Living in Kansas, I can appreciate that comment. In early spring, you can’t tell the difference. Both are brown. Both are sticking straight up in the air.
But something happens in the fall. Wheat stalks have grain in their heads. So much grain that it starts to bend over. The stalk can barely sustain the weight of the seeds. Weeds? They have no seeds so they are still sticking straight up in the air. You can only see this at harvest time…none other.
I’m thankful that I’m not responsible for getting the weeds out. I make too quick of judgment calls sometimes. I can’t see the whole picture of what God is doing in other’s lives. My ‘insight’ can be just a calloused heart. I’m thankful that is God’s job because at one point in time (maybe even now?) I’m sure I was branded a weed by others.
So what are to do then? Keep loving and growing, let Jesus handle the weeds. Simple, right? he he…Simple seldom means easy.
5 responses so far ↓
1 clay // Nov 7, 2006 at 9:20 pm
unrelated, but just curious. were you able to vote this year, either in colorado or arkansas?
2 Rowland // Nov 8, 2006 at 12:04 am
Yeh….me too. Seems to many pastors and religious types like carrying around weed-wackers disguised as discipleship. We love to tell people what their doing wrong with their lives and are so uncomfortable just letting them journey in their skin. I have to catch myself sometimes as well being overly holy or judgmental.
I guess we could make up some new bumper stickers….”Jesus is my Gardener”
3 Wayne // Nov 8, 2006 at 9:11 am
If you are a calvinist, you might be a weed and not know it
? Ha ha.
This, along with the seeds along the road parable are haunting to me.
4 Richman // Nov 8, 2006 at 9:24 am
The unsettling thing about the truth in this is when the accuser speaks doubt at you causing you to wonder if you are the weed. I wonder if many struggle with this and so they spend increasing amounts of time “doing” more as if works will win favor. As for me I struggle with the need to read, pray, and help others more so that I feel like I am displaying fruits of the Spirit; therefore it must be. Legalism is a hard behavior to correct, all the more reason to thank Jesus for doing the hard stuff.
5 kris // Nov 9, 2006 at 8:29 am
thoughtful stuff … and good comments — gave me something to think about today!
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