Do You See Wheat or Weeds?

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells of a farmer who sowed good seed in field, only to find that an enemy had sowed weeds among the wheat. When the man’s servants realize this, they ask, “Do you want us to go pull them up?” (Verse 28) The farmer answers, “No! Because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: ‘First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn’” (Verses 29-30).

I have always heard this parable used as a lesson in patience, or as a reminder of the coming judgment day. However, I think there is another point to understand.

The farmer did not want his servants in his field because they are focused on the weeds! Their first inclination is to think about what is wrong, and, because of that, they will pull out not only the bad plants but the good ones too. The farmer does not want them in the field because they are not seeing things properly.

Contrast that to Jesus’ attitude. When he looks at the world, he says, “Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest!” (John 4:35). Instead of thinking that everything is falling apart and that no one wants to hear about spiritual things, his estimation is that, “The harvest is plentiful” (Matthew 9:37). Jesus focuses on the potential, not the problems. He sees the wheat, not the weeds. He understands that something that looks bad may turn into something good. He believes that there will be a harvest. Therefore, he reacts differently.

At its core, faith is a way of seeing the world and understanding life. As Christian people, we must train ourselves to see things the way God sees them. We must believe that God is at work and that there is more going on than what we see or understand. We must guard our hope!

I am not saying that we ought to live in denial and pretend that there are no problems, but I am saying that what we focus on grows!

We serve a God of resurrection and life!

Therefore, we better focus on the wheat and not the weeds.

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