April 16

Text: Matthew 13:28-30

"And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' And the slaves *said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?'  But he *said, 'No; lest while you are gathering up the tares, you may root up the wheat with them.  Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (NASB)

In this Jesus parable, note the landowner was concerned about the well-being of the wheat.  His primary desire was not about how he would look to others.  Certainly, some people would look at his field and wonder about him.  However, he immediately realized that it was the wrong time to destroy the weeds.  To destroy the weeds at that moment also would destroy some of the wheat.

Note the landowner’s primary concern was not about how the slaves looked to others.  Others could say, “Those lazy servants!  Yes, they planted, but they did not take proper care of the crop!  When the weeds became obvious they just let the weeds grow as if the weeds were not there!  If the servants made the effort they should have made, there would be no weeds in that wheat!”

The landowner knew what happened; that was sufficient.  The reason he planted was his desire for wheat.  To destroy any of the desired wheat for the sake of reputation defeated his reason for planting.

The time would come for destroying the weeds.  There would be a time for their total destruction!  However, that time would pose no threat to the wheat!

Realize the man or woman who comes to Jesus Christ is what God wanted.  That is why Jesus came!  That is why he died!  That is why he was resurrected!  Nothing will distract God from His intent!

Never forget how devoted God is to those who fulfill his purpose!

Suggestion for reflection: Be wheat, not a weed!  (Read John 3:16-21.)