Matthew 13:24-30
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
Why is there evil in the world? Why do bad things happen to good people? How is it that the innocent suffer?
These are the huge questions, not just of faith, but of life itself. These are also some of the questions this parable raises, although it gives, at best, only half an answer. But then it also makes a promise that may prove, in the end, more immediately helpful than an answer.
First, the half answer. There is evil in the world. Jesus describes the one who sowed weeds among the wheat as an “enemy,” and that is what evil is, the enemy and opponent to God’s wish that all people enjoy abundant life. That may not seem like much of an answer or anything particularly new, but it does remind us of one important thing: God does not desire suffering. So when someone dies, it’s not because God needed another angel in the choir, and when we suffer some illness or tragedy, it is not because God wants to test us or make us stronger. There is evil and unjust suffering in the world, and each time they occur they stand against God’s desire and will as the enemy.
Then the promise. In the end, God will make what is wrong right, sort out the weeds from the wheat, and bring all things to a good end. This doesn’t bring the immediate relief we may crave but it does promise that our patience and endurance and struggle in the meantime is not in vain. This promise, in other words, does not make everything “better,” but it does make a difference.
Allow an example: D-Day, according to most historians, was the turning point of the Second World War. It was the decisive battle that assured that, in the end, the Allies would triumph over their opponents. D-Day, however, did not end the war. Battles continued to rage, soldiers continue to give their strength, limbs, and life for many months. But what a difference to give your life in a cause that you knew would prevail and in the hope that it contributed to the triumph of good, rather than to suffer and die with no idea of whether your efforts made a difference or whether right would triumph.
As I said, this parable doesn’t provide all the answers. But its “half answer” helps us be clear about God’s intention, and it’s promise invites us to share in the gift of abundant and meaningful life even now, encouraging us to carry on, trusting that God will bring all things to a good end and freeing us to do our best to care for those around us. That may not be everything, but on most days, I’ve found, it’s enough.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to believe that you desire only good for your people and, trusting your promise, to join the struggle against evil and oppression and work for good wherever we may. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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