At one time or another, most people have uttered the words, “It’s Just Not Fair!” On the job, other workers seem to get the assignments, recognition and promotions we had hoped would be ours! At school, other students seem to be the “teacher’s pet;” they have easier teachers, professors, homework and tests! At home it seems, to us at least, that we are working harder, doing more, and putting more into the relationship than our spouse is! And in all of these circumstances, it just doesn’t seem fair!
If you’ve ever felt this way, Jesus is talking to you in the gospel reading! He reminds us that He is in charge and that we can trust His judgment. Jesus told a parable – an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. He said that a farmer planted good seed on his land, but while everyone was sleeping at night an enemy came and planted weed seeds on the same land. Eventually, when the grain began to grow, the workers on the farm discovered the weeds and want to uproot them, but the owner wouldn’t allow them to do so because he knew that they would destroy the grain while they were trying to pull the weeds. He commanded them to wait until the harvest at which time the grain could be safely gathered in, and the weeds would be gathered and destroyed by fire.
Privately, with His disciples, Jesus explained the meaning of the parable. 1) He, Himself, is the farmer; 2) the good seed represents all true believers; 3) the field is the whole world; 4) the bad seed is all unbelievers and false-believers; 5) the enemy who sowed the bad seed is the devil; 6) the harvest is the end of the world; and 7) the harvesters are the angels whom God will send to gather all people on the last day, taking believers safely home to heaven and destroying unbelievers and false-believers by means of eternal fire.
When we look at the world around us, it may seem that “It Just Isn’t Fair” for unbelievers to enjoy so many material blessings, comforts and joys! Why doesn’t God simply “uproot” and destroy them because of their unbelief? In Matthew 5:45, Jesus reminds us that God “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Even when it seems that “It Just Isn’t Fair,” we are reminded it isn’t up to us to decide who is “worthy” or “unworthy” to receive the gifts God graciously gives, nor should we judge who should or should not be “uprooted.” Ultimately, the decision is God’s alone. We know, without a doubt, that on the last day God will judge perfectly – Jesus will send out His angels and they will weed out of His kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. Unbelievers and false-believers will be thrown into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mt. 13: 41-42) At that same time, we and all believers in Christ will be safely gathered to be with Him forever where “in His presence there is the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.” (Ps. 16:10)
In the meantime, as we wait for Him and His perfect judgment, He calls us to remember our salvation, His perfect and unchangeable love for us, and His promise “that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
See you in church this next weekend!
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow