Sower, Seeds, Weeds
Scripture Reading — Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.”
Here we have another parable about sowing seed. This time the focus is on the kind of seed that is sown—and the plants that grow from it. Good wheat seed is planted in a field, and weeds are also sown. Given the choice to remove the weeds, the owner declines; wanting the wheat to grow, he decides to let the weeds remain. If the weeds were uprooted now, the wheat would also be uprooted.
The owner knows that at harvest time it will be easier to separate the wheat from the weeds. In the meantime, the wheat will grow as wheat, and the weeds will remain weeds. Let them grow to maturity, and then the two can be separated easily; the wheat’s fruit is obvious in contrast with that of the weeds.
This is a picture of how God’s Word and life grow in us while we live each day in the field of his world. It is easy to fit in, to be like people around us. And when we are surrounded by the sin and evil of this world, we can be overcome with uncertainty. But our Lord knows us, and he chooses not to remove us from the field. He allows us to stand in contrast to the weeds, as we produce the crop we are intended for.
This parable comes to us as a message of encouragement: Trust the field owner; his love will see you through to maturity.
Lord, thank you for loving me. In all situations, help me remain confident of being who you created me to be. In your name, Amen.
About the author — Dale Melenberg
Dale Melenberg is a second-career pastor. He received a theology degree through Calvin Theological Seminary and a doctorate of ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is married to Gloria, and together they have raised three sons and are enjoying their four grandchildren. Growing up in an immigrant community shaped Dale’s view of family, church, and community in a profound way that continues to inform his life-view toward kingdom living with God, neighbors, and the creation.
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