Do you ever wonder why God allows evil to exist? Do you find yourself telling God that your life would work out a lot better if He would just remove the evil barriers in your way? Whether it is a competitor, a criminal, a nemesis, a cheating spouse, or an enemy who was a former friend, we often find ourselves frustrated over the evil obstacles resident in our lives. In His Parable of the Weeds, Jesus gave insight to this dilemma (see Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).

In this world, weeds and wheat coexist until the harvest (see Matthew 13:24-28a, 36-39a). Jesus told a story about a farmer who had sown wheat. While he was sleeping, his enemy sowed weeds among the wheat and then left. Later, when the wheat sprouted and formed heads, the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants asked the farmer where the weeds had come from, and his response was: “An enemy did this” (Matthew 13:28a).

Jesus explained the first part of the parable to His disciples (see Matthew 13:36-39a). The Sower of the good seed is Jesus Christ (see Matthew 13:37). The field is this world (see Matthew 13:38a). The good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom, those who are in Christ (see Matthew 13:38b). The weeds are the sons of the evil one, those outside Christ (see Matthew 13:38c). The enemy who sows the weeds is the devil (see Matthew 13:39a).

When frustrated with the existence of evil, remember that in this world, weeds and wheat coexist until the harvest, and sometimes, the weeds and wheat are indistinguishable. The word translated weed is zizanion (a kind of darnel which is a weedy, rye grass with poisonous seeds). The weed looks just like wheat until the wheat sprouts its head.

Are you frustrated with the evil in this world? Maybe it is a particular person or people group who falls short of God’s standard. Remember Jesus revealed the coexistence of the righteous and the unrighteous until He returns, and sometimes the two are indistinguishable.

Episode 254: Parable of the Weeds from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.