Matthew 13:24-30…“But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest;’” vss. 29-30a
Those who believe that God is going to deal with the problem of wickedness in the world by gathering the wicked on the last day and casting them into the flames of hell, love this parable. Since they presumably assume that they are the good seed, it must give them some measure of comfort to know that bad folks are one day going to get what’s coming to them. Unfortunately, that’s not what this parable is about.
The story in fact argues against judgment, basically because the servants would destroy the wheat if they tried to pull the weeds. It reflects a dualistic view of the world that doesn’t correspond to reality. The truth is that this world is good and broken, something that is readily apparent to us when we look at ourselves and the people we encounter on a daily basis. Trying to separate the good from the broken is impossible and totally destructive.
We deal with the brokenness both in ourselves and in others with healing and forgiveness and a heavy reliance on grace. That’s the Jesus way and it lies at the core of the gospel. We gain nothing with a black or white, right or wrong attitude as we follow Jesus. While some find satisfaction in declaring their enemies to be bound for hell, that kind of judgment is foreign to a Christ-centered life.
Thought for the Day: What sorts of people am I most likely to judge?
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