Matthew 13:30 ESV- “Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” 

               I just finished a study on God’s kingdom as explained in the book of Matthew, with a women’s group at my church. In a lesson titled “Characteristics of the Kingdom,” author Christine Hoover discussed several parables.¹ One was the parable of the wheat and the weeds.

               It begins: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.” Matt. 13:24-25 ESV

               When the weeds sprouted with the wheat the man’s servants asked if they should pull them up. The answer was “No” because some of the wheat might be uprooted as well. At harvest time, when both had matured, they would be separated.   

               Hoover wrote that the weeds, thought to be bearded darnel, was a close cousin to wheat and the plants were difficult to tell apart when immature. Only at maturity could the two be distinguished from one another. Also, the roots become entangled so the two are difficult to separate until harvested.

               After examining this parable Hoover posed the question— “What does this teach us about our role and responsibility in the kingdom of God?” I wrote: “Our responsibility is to distinguish ourselves from the weeds.”

Let’s Be Distinguishable

               Many in my Bible study group did not understand how this could be possible because the roots of the weeds and wheat were intertwined. But I look at Matthew 13:38 where Jesus explains to His disciples the field is the world and the good seeds producing wheat are the sons of the kingdom and the weeds are the sons of the wicked one. 

               I think of Jesus speaking to unbelieving Jews who desired to kill Him yet claimed God as their Father.  He responded that the devil was their father because they were like him. “Your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 ESV

               The apostle John also wrote that those who are disciples of Jesus will be known by their love for one another (John 13:35). The apostle Paul described that love in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 as patient and kind, free of envy, boasting, and arrogance. It is not rude, irritable or resentful and does not insist on having its own way. Also, it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

               However, as we mature in Christ through the study of God’s Word and the help of the Holy Spirit to understand and walk in it (the sanctification process), we will look different.  

In His Word

               According to the Enduring Word online commentary,² this parable is about corruption among the people of God. Those who attend church but are not transformed because they are not born again.  Many have learned to speak Christianize but are still in the enemy camp.

               David Guzik, the author of the commentary, writes: “The enemy’s purpose in sowing tares (weeds) among the wheat was to destroy the wheat. But the wise farmer would not allow the enemy to succeed. Instead, the farmer decided to sort it out at harvest time.”

Walking It Out

               Guzik’s interpretation of the parable makes the study of God’s Word even more urgent so we will be distinguishable from the weeds that look like Christians on the outside but are not a new creation because there has been no heart change.

               How do you recognize a true believer?

1-By a transformed life.

               False prophets come in sheep’s clothing, but cannot bear good fruit. We recognize them by their fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20)

2-They do what Christ commands.

               “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3-4

3-Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s leadership.

               Children of God are led by the Spirit rather than the flesh. (Romans 8:14)

4-They put their faith into action.

               “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:17

               I personally don’t want to wait until the harvest to be identified as a Christian. I want to reflect Christ to the world and by doing so expand His kingdom.

Resources:

1-Seek First the Kingdom by Christine Hoover. Published by Lifeway Press Brentwood, Tennessee

2-Enduringword.com, an online commentary by David Guzik.