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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. Although quite direct and sometimes uncomfortable, that simple question challenges one to plan today for the life they hope for tomorrow. And this is what Jesus does in today’s parables.

In today’s parables, Jesus speaks about a 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.

The purpose of presenting these two realities together (in juxtaposition using the same parables) is to make the point that you cannot believe or experience one without the certainty of the other. In other words, just as real and inescapable as is the problem of evil in our world today, so will be the future judgment.

But here's the good news: Jesus used 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. This is shown by God's providence, plan and patience from the parable:

  • God's Providence: God is aware of evil in the world and cares about you.
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). Even in the midst of despair the Sovereign hand of God is at work, and He cares deeply about you (1 Peter 5:7).

  • God's Plan: 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's Patience: 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! And this is the future we are invited to align towards.

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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