Kingdom Parables: The Parable of the Weeds
In this message, Pastor Josh continues our series on the Kingdom parables, looking at Jesus’ story of the weeds among the wheat. It’s a parable simple enough for a child to grasp, yet deep enough to confront anyone whose heart is not ready to receive the truth.
Matthew 13:24–30
The Kingdom Illustrated
Jesus often taught about the Kingdom of God using parables—ordinary stories that reveal eternal truths. Here, a man sows good seed in his field. But while everyone sleeps, an enemy scatters weeds among the wheat. Both grow together until harvest.
In Scripture, “sleeping” can mean:
- Death – the end of life here but not of the soul.
- Ignorance – being unaware of spiritual reality.
- Complacency – a laziness that leaves us vulnerable.
The story reminds us that spiritual life takes place in contested ground—there’s always an enemy working to undermine what God plants.
The Enemy is Real
The “enemy” in the story is not just symbolic. Pastor Josh warned that there is an active, cunning, and relentless opposition to God’s work. Whenever you try to advance the Kingdom—in ministry, in marriage, in parenting, or even in your thought life—the enemy works to plant:
- Distraction
- Temptation
- Pride
- Division
- Discouragement
Pastor Josh said, “Respect the enemy but don’t be afraid of the enemy… The faster you acknowledge the enemy, the better you can guard your heart and build your faith.” Opposition may come as subtle relational conflict, shifting values, or even self-righteous religiosity—but it’s always aimed at pulling your attention from God.
Why Does God Allow the Weeds?
When the servants ask to pull the weeds immediately, the master says, “No—lest you also uproot the wheat.” God’s timing is not our timing.
He allows challenges, difficult people, and temptations to remain because:
- Struggle strengthens faith – humility grows in the presence of pride.
- Patience develops under pressure – love deepens when loving the unlovable.
- Growth takes time – removing the struggle too soon can damage what God is nurturing.
Pastor Josh told a gardening story: after two weeks away, weeds had grown in his wife’s flowerbeds. She refused to let him pull them out—he might pull flowers with them.
“You don’t discern what is weed, what is flower. Your job is to be faithful, not successful.”
Waiting is Part of the Kingdom
The Kingdom follows an agricultural rhythm—seeds take time to mature. We want instant harvests, but God works in seasons. This means:
- Patience with our own growth
- Patience with others’ growth
- Trust that God’s timing is perfect
There will be a day when the weeds are removed forever, but for now, growth often happens side by side with challenge.
Evangelism in All Seasons
We are called to sow seed faithfully—to all people, in every season of life—without pre-deciding who will respond. Whether single, married, parenting, or in hardship, there is always a way to advance the Kingdom.
Pastor Josh challenged the church not to limit outreach because of bias or assumption. He recalled when some resisted reaching a certain ethnic group, only for God to move the church into the heart of that very community.
For Shepherds and Disciples
Shepherds often grow the most through hardship. Every difficult person, every painful season can be God’s tool to:
- Deepen love
- Strengthen faith
- Enlarge patience
Pastor Josh reminded us that every follower of Jesus is called to be a minister in their own field—whether as a doctor, engineer, student, parent, or friend. We are to live as good wheat among weeds until the harvest.
Conclusion
Advancing God’s Kingdom will always meet resistance—because of the enemy, the world’s values, and our own sinful nature. But the harvest belongs to God. Until the day He separates the wheat from the weeds, our call is clear:
- Stay rooted in Him
- Keep sowing the good seed
- Remain faithful, not fearful
“God lets the weed survive and thrive because He cares about the real disciples.”
