A Whole New World

So often we can limit our interaction with people who only hold the same values as us.

Matthew 13.24-43

Reference:  v.30  “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.” (NIV Bible)

Explore:  When I got engaged I discovered there was a whole world of ‘wedding’ that I had never been aware of.  While I had been to many weddings and knew many people who had been married, I had not yet entered into the world of wedding!  This involved a whole array of reception centres, florists, makeup artists, bridal shops, wedding magazines, hair stylists… and the list goes on.  In the lead up to our wedding this whole display was opened up to me and I saw my world in a different light!
I think the Christian world is similar.  Once you are aware of it you notice Christian schools, Christian bookshops, Christian TV, Christian directories and there is suddenly a whole world with it’s own value system and often its own language too!  While many specific Christian-focused services are great, I was struck by this parable of the weeds that Jesus taught.  When the farmer plants good seeds the enemy comes and plants weeds throughout the whole field.  When the plants grow the weeds also grow alongside them.  Instead of the farmer separating the wheat from the weeds straight away, he allows them to grow together until harvest time.  This confirmed in me the idea of being in the world but not of it.

Application:  So often we can limit our interaction with people who only hold the same values as us.  While this can be helpful in keeping you accountable, God constantly spoke of unity throughout the Bible, not building your own little separate kingdoms.  We must be aware of the weeds that are present in our world but we must also acknowledge all the great wheat as well.  Let us not play god and separate the two while we are here on earth, but may we aim to live as Jesus did and love all people as He did.

Prayer:  Lord, you love all people and you desire us to be one in unity and strength.  May we live to bring people together rather than tearing people apart.  Amen.

Matthew