My Last Nerve - Pt. 4

 

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. (Matthew 13:36-43 ESV).

 

As we come to the conclusion of our look at the necessity of tolerance in our relationships with those that oppose all the things we hold dear and believe to be right in life, it is important to understand God’s perspective in relation to the evil in our world. Perhaps the best explanation of that is found in our reading today. It is a part of a larger context running through the chapter. In today’s global culture, we often hear that we must be open-minded and dedicated to tolerance. Everyone must be included — no one left out. These ideas are based on some principles of God’s kingdom. But other kingdom principles, such as God’s judgment of sin and evil, are often left out.

 

This is the case with “the Weeds and the Wheat.” Jesus’ parables include stories about the Lord separating weeds from wheat at the final judgment, and about a net from which edible fish are separated from fish that cannot be eaten. Jesus’ parables emphasize limitless grace, but they also highlight God’s limitless demand. Few things are more important than our perception of God. If God is a seeking, caring God, then we should imitate his grace both for ourselves and in our treatment of other people. But we must also recognize and proclaim a coming judgment, when good and evil will be eternally separated. Although we are saved by sheer grace (as Martin Luther rediscovered before sparking a reformation), grace is never cheap.

 

The kingdom is like the process of net fishing or wheat farming that, in the end, calls for separation. And the Lord is the one in charge of judgment. But the upcoming judgment teaches us to put aside selfish pleasures and choose to do what pleases God and has eternal value. In closing our discussion let me say we should be very careful in both grace-giving and truth-telling. After all, it is the Lord and no one else who is capable of separating the good from the bad. Let God do His job while we lovingly declare His grace and mercy, holding to the truth in our belief and behavior.