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God holds a future that ends all evil for the good

God holds a future that ends all evil for the good
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-50.

(The Parables of the Weeds and Net).

What would your future look like? The first time I was asked that, I knew I had to take my Maths and Science seriously. That simple question inspires one to plan today for the life they hope for tomorrow.

In today’s parables, Jesus speaks about another kind of future that affects everyone: the end of the age or God’s judgment. He also addresses a problem that affects everyone: the problem of evil, or the coexistence of good and bad.

Jesus uses the parables to show how His kingdom offers hope both now in the midst of evil and in the future at the time of judgment:

  • God is aware of evil in the world and cares deeply about people.
The Sower only intended wheat; weeds were not his plan (v24-28, 37-39). However, amidst the weeds, he cares about his wheat. The servants asked the owner if they should uproot the weeds, and he said, “No…because you may uproot the wheat with them” (v28-29).

  • God will end all evil at the end of the age, so the good shines.
The coexistence of good and evil only lasts for a time. At the end of the age, the wheat is brought into the barn while the weed is burned (v30). When something is burned, its life state comes to an end. For the soul, this is a state of eternal suffering (v40-43, 49-50). This burning represents the end of evil. But the righteous will shine like the sun (v43).

  • God shows patience with evil so that people will be saved.
When the servants asked, “Do you want us to pull the weeds up?” (v28), from the owner’s response, we not only see care for the wheat but also what seems to be an intervention for the weeds until the harvest. “Let both grow until the harvest” (v30, 2 Peter 3:9, 15). God’s will is that many are saved: made righteous through faith in Jesus.

The Kingdom of God is a kingdom where the King holds a future that brings evil’s end and good’s glory. This is the hope the righteous have in God!

Reflect & Pray
What would your future look like? How does it encourage you to know that with all that goes on in the world, God cares deeply about you?
Father, may your Kingdom continue to break through our hearts and our communities, in Jesus' name, amen.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

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