Pulling Weeds

The Parable of the Weeds {Matthew 13:25-30, 36-43}

Hidden Treasures series, The Pearl Community

“Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.

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.’ ””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:24-30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Uncomfortable. Not a “feel good” story. Almost offensive. It feels like a lot.

Here’s the thing. In Jesus’ time, all this made perfect sense—

Back then, if someone was mad at you, it wasn’t uncommon for them to sneak into your field at night and plant unwanted seed in your wheat crop.

& not just any kind—a certain variety that looked exactly like the real thing, except it was completely worthless.

Imitation wheat.

No value.

So obviously, the thing to do is yank those out of our field, right? Pulling weeds.

It’s our first instinct.

When there’s a problem, we get rid of it.

Where there are issues, we can edit those out.

But the parable tells us no—there’s a purpose here. We have to grow—here in the soil we’re planted, leaving our roots intact.

Then & only then will we be able to see the real thing—when we reach maturity & all else is stripped away.

The time of harvest—gathered by the One that planted the fruitful seed.

“Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom.

The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:36-43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

At first glance, I always think this story feels harsh, uncomfortable, out of place in the Gospel. But this time, reading the words of Jesus, I’m applying the heart of the Savior. Looking at His Word through eyes of Grace.

This parable reminds us we are planted.

• You are planted with a purpose.

• You have been given the time & space to grow.

• Your beautiful, genuine growth is sending a message to the world around you.

What will that message be to those around us? To one another? As we grow, what seed do we show?

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”—John‬ ‭13:34-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬