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Matthew 13:29-30 ‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
When reading the parable of the wheat and the weeds in English, there are a couple of things which get lost in translation. First, the specific type of weed in this parable looks like wheat until the heads appear. As such, by the time they’re recognized as weeds are they’re already rooted. If they were to be pulled out it the wheat would die as well.
Secondly, there’s a possibility of a play on words in this passage. The New Testament Jewish Commentary notes that the type of weed (zonin) is very similar to the word used for prostitute (zonah). As such, it’s plausible Jesus is making a very strong point in this parable. It would be as if He were saying, “People who look my followers and who sometime act as if they’re living in the Kingdom of God are actually going out and prostituting themselves. But in the end, God will sort everything out. Everything that causes evil will be removed from the Kingdom, but the righteous will shine brightly!”
READING & PRAYERS:
MATTHEW 13:24-30, 13:36-43 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: This parable teaches that those in the Kingdom of God are free to grow and thrive without fear of the “weeds” (evil) around them. In what ways does it bring you comfort, knowing that God will identify and remove the “weeds” so that you can grow and live freely in the Kingdom of God?
REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Many seek power over others, but Jesus was powerful because of His service for others. Spend time in prayer seeking God’s will for how you can best serve others.
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess there are days in which I think that it’s my job to identify what is evil and to do what I can to remove it from the world. Today’s reading is a reminder that I’m completely unqualified to identify everything that is evil – this is Your role. May I rest in this truth today. Amen.
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