A Story about Weeds in the Wheat
24 Jesus used another illustration. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field. 25 But while people were asleep, his enemy planted weeds in the wheat field and went away. 26 When the wheat came up and formed kernels, weeds appeared.
27 “The owner’s workers came to him and asked, ‘Sir, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’
28 “He told them, ‘An enemy did this.’
“His workers asked him, ‘Do you want us to pull out the weeds?’
29 “He replied, ‘No. If you pull out the weeds, you may pull out the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. When the grain is cut, I will tell the workers to gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to be burned. But I’ll have them bring the wheat into my barn.’”
Stories about a Mustard Seed and Yeast
31 Jesus used another illustration. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone planted in a field. 32 It’s one of the smallest seeds. However, when it has grown, it is taller than the garden plants. It becomes a tree that is large enough for birds to nest in its branches.”
33 He used another illustration. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixed into a large amount of flour until the yeast worked its way through all the dough.”
34 Jesus used illustrations to tell the crowds all these things. He did not tell them anything without illustrating it with a story. 35 So what the prophet had said came true:
“I will open my mouth to illustrate points.
I will tell what has been hidden since the world was made.”
I will tell what has been hidden since the world was made.”
The Meaning of the Weeds in the Wheat
36 When Jesus had sent the people away, he went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain what the illustration of the weeds in the field means.”
37 He answered, “The one who plants the good seeds is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world. The good seeds are those who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are those who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy who planted them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The workers are angels. 40 Just as weeds are gathered and burned, so it will be at the end of time. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels. They will gather everything in his kingdom that causes people to sin and everyone who does evil. 42 The angels will throw them into a blazing furnace. People will cry and be in extreme pain there. 43 Then the people who have God’s approval will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let the person who has ears listen!
I won't mince words. One moment you are amazingly thoughtful, helpful, kind, silly, and affectionate, and the next you are cold, manipulative, hurtful, thoughtless, and almost cruel. We have been at a complete loss. Like the owner's workers (v.27), I've been asking God, "Where on earth do these hurtful behaviors ("weeds") keep coming from?" We have no clue how best to love and support your growth in Him, especially when you cycle through these moods so rapidly!
Praise God that He does <3
He showed me a few truths through the above chapter in Matthew. The "weeds", the poor choices and hurtful behaviors, are undoubtedly from the enemy. And although they may continue to grow, so will Jesus' "wheat". Indeed, the fruits of His Holy Spirit in you are difficult to see right now, but just as the mustard seed grew taller than the garden plants (v.32) so He will grow in You: taller than the weeds.
I witnessed a miracle in you at summer camp. Satan wants me to doubt it. He wants me to question the reality of your salvation. But I know what I know and your Father in Heaven knows it, too. You are His, Lucy. And He is working His Kingdom purposes and plans into your heart like yeast in a large amount of dough (v.33). He isn't asking us to react or respond to your choices, He's been asking us over and over to surrender...to be patient...to trust that changes did take place and are continuing to...to remain at rest and celebrate the girl you are going to be when those changes move from the inside out.
You have come from a country where God is dead. For 16 years, you were shaped and formed by a culture whose morality was based on the deceitful hearts of men and the wicked desires of the flesh. Material wealth equaled success, sex and marriage were never anything sacred, and individual happiness superseded that of the general welfare. This was a mold contrary to that God had in mind for you, and yet it feels more comfortable than anything else. Our intentions to guide you forward in life are foreign but pure, Sweet Girl.... But of course you're freaking out! It's all so new.
I will be praying for grace and patience. We certainly don't want to push you too far too fast and become a stumbling block on your journey to Jesus. It's surely an exciting one ;)
Much Love,
Mama
