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| Share Agape March 6, 2004 |
| Eradicating Evil �'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 root up 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 Here is God�s answer to the age old question: Why are evil people allowed to exist? Why doesn�t God just strike them down with lightening? Why does God wait to judge them, when he could get them out of our lives today? In this short, simple parable, Jesus explains. If God extinguishes the evil of the world, it will harm the good of the world, too. If you�ve ever planted seeds in the soil, you know just what Jesus means. Last year, eager for spring, my husband and I planted our vegetable garden too soon. A torrent of rain fell on our poor little seeds, and when their green heads began popping out of the black earth, we found that we still had weeds in the garden bed, trying to choke out our vegetable starts. But there wasn�t much we could do about it. If we tried to pull up the weeds, we were likely to pull up vegetables, too. They were too close together to prevent accidental veggie deaths. Yet when the vegetables grew more mature, it was easy to root up the weeds and eradicate them from the garden. Similarly, God will wait till we�ve all had a chance to mature, grow, and produce before he eradicates evil from the world. However, I believe this parable isn�t just about how God treats evil on earth. I think it also speaks to we humans, who are tempted to act like vigilantes and take weed killer to the crop. Like the field workers in Jesus� parable, though, we can�t clearly differentiate between weeds and crop. We can�t see into people�s hearts. And if we try to pull up weeds, we�re more than likely to make terrible mistakes. We must still speak truthfully to each other (Ephesians 4:25), and discipline each other (1 Corinthians 5); but it�s not our job to eradicate evil from the world. Jesus' parable also asks us to accept the facts of life: There will always be weeds around us--even in us; it's our job to trust in God and to know that he will take care of the problem. More than that, the parable reminds us that yes--there are an abundance of weeds in the world. So many, at times it all seems overwhelming and depressing. But Jesus encourages us: Dispersed among these weeds are good things-wheat that's bearing grain and thriving under the Lord's care. Among those �good grains� is a little movie you might have heard something about: The Passion. I don�t normally discuss films in Share Agape, but I feel compelled to mention this one. Like many people, I suppose, I was almost afraid to see this movie because critics were emphasizing it�s �violence.� I normally can�t sit through violent movies. I also don�t normally see a popular movie early in it�s run; my husband and I get frustrated by the crowds. But this week, we braved those crowds--and it was well worth it. Don�t miss it because you think it�s �too violent.� I have seen so many movies that were far more violent and gory. The Passion is not over the top. A film this stirring could not have been made any other way. And don�t miss the film because you fear it�s anti-Semitic. The movie does an excellent job of showing both good and bad-- Romans and Jews. The Passion will give you much to ponder and discuss, and it can only strengthen your spiritual walk. With that in mind, this week�s recommendation is a website that prepares viewers for Mel Gibson�s much talked about film The Passion: http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2004/0224passion.asp Questions Q: What does the "for" mean in "Jesus died for our sins?" A: "Jesus died for our sins" has become a pat phrase that's unfortunately rarely explained--perhaps because the concept isn't particularly easy to understand or explain, especially if someone isn't very familiar with both the Old and New Testaments. However, let me give it a go: MORE ~~~> |
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