But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
Matthew 13:25
In the first parable about sowing, the Word of God was sown and fell on four different conditions of soil. The parable of the weeds, however, is not about sowing the Word of God; it is about Jesus sowing the good seed, “the sons of the kingdom,” into the world. The “sons of the kingdom” are scattered to preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) In this parable, the field represents the world. Into this field of good seed (the wheat), the evil one planted his seed (the weeds), the “sons of the evil one.” Thus, the people of the kingdom live side by side with the people of the evil one until the end of the age when Jesus separates them out and the weeds, the “sons of the evil one,” are burned.
Are you a “son of the kingdom,” influencing your world with the truth of Christ? Jesus teaches us in this parable that “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (v.42) As sons of the kingdom, we grow up next to the weeds of the world, but we are called to shine with Christ’s light in the harvest fields.
Where is your harvest field? We are called to bloom where we are planted – in our workplace, in our homes, and in our relationships. This week, consider where God has planted you and remember that as a “son of the kingdom” you are bringing Christ’s Presence everywhere you go.
Heavenly Father,
You have called me to “bloom” where I am planted. As a son of the kingdom, help me to shine in a world filled with “weeds.” Give me favor and influence (fill in the blank with your harvest field) and give me the courage to boldly proclaim Your Name.
In Jesus’ name, Amen