“But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 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.”’” – Matthew 13:29-30
The parable of the wheat and the weeds gives insight one of the most challenging questions Christians ask in times of injustice and suffering – why does a all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful God permit evil people to continue to exist in and amongst His people?
The answer isn’t that God is unaware – He clearly knows the weeds are present. The answer isn’t that God is powerless – He could pull the weeds any time He desires. The answer is that God permits the weeds to continue growing for a time because in His perfect wisdom, He knows that pulling them too soon could cause greater spiritual harm to the wheat (His people).
As much as the weeds cause evil and pain, their sudden removal from this world for judgment would somehow cause greater harm. On this, we should simply take Christ’s word for it, for there are many things we’re simply incapable of understanding in your finite nature. One obvious way, of course, is that in God’s grace, weeds can actually be transformed into wheat through faith in Jesus Christ. God in His perfect wisdom and goodness permits the weeds to continue growing for a time and we must trust Him.
However, make no mistake – ultimate justice is coming for every weed and every stalk of wheat. Judgment Day will come when Christ returns and those who are weeds will be cast into eternal punishment away from God and His people. Followers of Jesus will be blessed with eternal joy in God’s presence. In the meantime, there will be weeds in the world, in your community, and in your life. Know that Jesus is with you every step of the way and grow in His strength to be an excellent and fruitful stalk of wheat. #FollowJesus