His slaves said to Jesus, “Do you want us to go and pull them up? He replied, “No, if you pull the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest, then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, first collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning, but gather the wheat into my ban” (Mt 13:28-30).
Jesus Christ is the greatest teacher who has ever lived. He used his words, and the truths within those words, to capture the hearts, the passions, and the keen interest of those who heard him. Why? He used common, everyday imagery, which his listeners were familiar with, to provide a simpler means of understanding what he was trying to teach. For example, Jesus used metaphors and parables to communicate his message on a clear and understandable level. Parables help to communicate what is in the mind of the communicator. Parables explain an idea, clearly and to the point, very well. Parables, to my own understanding, are links that connect God’s Word to the hearts and minds of people.
In Matthew 13:28-30, Jesus used the current terms and images of agriculture to teach an important message. The Jewish listeners were captivated by his simple truths and knowledge they heard in his Word and were eager to listen to what Jesus had to say. In this parable, Jesus used seeds, both wheat and weeds, to explain what would take place at the end of time.
Christians believe that we live in a transient world. Heaven is our true home, where we shall enjoy everlasting happiness. The parable of the wheat is full of meanings and could be interpreted in many ways.
The parable of the wheat and weeds speaks about the type of seeds Jesus sowed. He sowed good seeds, but his enemy, the devil, also sowed seeds, bad seeds. The disciples complained to Jesus when they noticed what the enemy had done. The disciples hence said, “Do you want us to go and pull them up?” Jesus was emphatic in his answer. Jesus allowed both the good and bad seeds to grow together until the harvest time, when the good seeds would be separated from the bad seeds. Harvest time represents our final judgment. On the Great Day of Judgment, good people will be separated from the bad, and each will then be rewarded according to their works. This interpretation assures us that justice will prevail at the end of time. God is the God of love as well as the God of justice. He will pay each according to his or her merit.
Matthew 13: 28-30 is one of the portions of the Bible that encourages people of different cultures, religions, faiths and traditions, to live together. Jesus disregarded the suggestions of the disciples and allowed both the good and bad seeds to grow together until harvest time. His words show that we have both good and bad people in this world. We live out our lives in a pluralistic culture. There is a great urgency for us to live peacefully with one another. We are people of many different faiths. We live in a challenging and constantly changing society. Society today bears witness to on-going conflicts in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. Often, these conflicts may lead to immense destruction of lives and property. Religion will become a means for addressing societal problems. There is a need to use religion to preach peace, love, mutual understanding, tolerance and acceptance until at the end of time. The Bible tells us the way to love and learn and show forgiveness. The Bible is challenging all of us to follow the preaching of Christ. Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Mt 5:44). No matter our faith, or religion, or culture we as individuals, we all trace our origin to one central ancestor: Abraham. It is through Abraham that all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3).
From the teaching of Jesus, we are challenged not just to hear the Word, but to put it into practice. St. James said that “faith without good work is dead” (James 2:14). Our Lord said that “any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Mt 7:19). St. Paul enumerated the fruits of the Spirit as joy, love, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). We should follow our Lord, Jesus Christ, and encourage peaceful living which will make our society a better place for everyone. We should avoid the killing of innocent people in the name of religion. We should shun unnecessary conflicts which do not promote harmony, peace, and love. We should learn how to tolerate one another in a world that God created to be very good (Genesis 1:31).
Father Joachim Ifezuo Oforchukwu, C.S.Sp., holds doctorates in education and practical theology.
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