Our scripture this week is Matthew 13:24-30.
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. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 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?” “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.”
Jesus tells us there will be evil among us. In spite of our best efforts, we will face trying times and difficult issues in our lives. He teaches that God does not send evil to punish us but that it is a result of sin. Sometimes our sin harms us, sometimes our sin harms others and sometimes we are harmed by the sin of others.
God is constant and consistent and has created a world that functions according to His plan. Nature shows us that this is true. Human beings have been made in God’s image, given the gift of free will, and thus are responsible to God and each other for our actions.
When we choose our own desires over the things God wants, we go against His plan. It is not God’s wish for us to be harmed but because His laws are constant and consistent, our disobedience has consequences in the world. He has promised to be with us through everything, and when we turn to Him we receive strength and pardon to overcome earthly failure.
Gracious God, we know that we are weak; we fail to follow Your laws and the path You intend for us. Help us to give up our selfish behavior and live together as Jesus taught. Amen.