A Lesson in Patience

By Romina Chevren

“Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, “Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?” “An enemy did this,” he replied. The servants asked him, “Do you want us to go and pull them up?” “No,” he answered, “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.”’”—Matthew 13:24–30 (NIV)

In these verses from the Book of Matthew, known as The Parable of the Wheat and Tares, Jesus imparts to us a profound lesson about patience and the nature of God's kingdom. The story of the wheat and the tares teaches us valuable insights about how God deals with good and evil in the world and how we should respond in our own lives.

Imagine a field where a farmer sows good seed. We can clearly see here the sower represents God, who plants the seeds of righteousness, love, and faith in our lives. These seeds are the gifts of God's grace and opportunities for us to grow and bear good fruit.

However, there’s an adversary who seeks to disrupt God's work. Just as an enemy sowed weeds among the wheat, evil influences and temptations can infiltrate our lives, causing confusion and strife. It’s essential to recognize that such adversities exist, but remember, God is aware of them, too.

When the servants propose pulling up the weeds, the master displays remarkable patience. He understands that removing the weeds prematurely may harm the wheat. Likewise, God knows that the process of separating good and evil is delicate and should not be rushed. He allows both to coexist for a time, giving everyone the opportunity to change and repent.

The ultimate day of reckoning is the harvest, symbolizing the end times when God will judge the world. At that moment, God's wisdom will prevail. The weeds, representing all that’s evil, will be gathered and disposed of, while the wheat, symbolizing the righteous, will be gathered into God's heavenly barn.

In our lives, we often encounter situations where good and evil coexist, and we may wonder why God allows this. The parable of the wheat and the tares teaches us to trust in God's divine plan. It reminds us that God's patience is not an endorsement of evil but a chance for redemption. We should strive to be the wheat, growing in righteousness, and have faith that God will bring justice in due time.

As we reflect on this word, let us be patient in our own lives, understanding that God's timing is perfect. Let us also strive to be the wheat, growing in faith and bearing good fruit, even in the presence of adversity. And most importantly, let us trust that God's wisdom will prevail in the end, separating the wheat from the tares and ushering us into His heavenly kingdom.

Pause: Have you ever considered how the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares reflects the coexistence of good and evil in our lives and the world around us and how it challenges us to exercise patience and trust in God's ultimate judgment? How does this truth impact your perspective on life and your interactions with others?"

Practice: Practice patience in your daily life, especially when dealing with situations where good and evil seem to coexist. Instead of rushing to judgment or action, take time to discern the true nature of the circumstances and seek God's wisdom.

Pray: Dear heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts filled with gratitude for Your wisdom and patience. We acknowledge that, at times, our lives may resemble the field in the parable with both wheat and weeds growing side by side. Lord, grant us the discernment to recognize the difference between righteousness and evil in our lives. Teach us, O God, the virtue of patience. Help us resist the urge to hastily judge or act in situations where we encounter adversity. Let us trust in Your divine plan and timing, knowing that You will bring justice in the end. We trust in Your promise, O Lord, that You will one day gather the "weeds" and preserve the "wheat" for Your heavenly kingdom. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.