Flowers and Weeds

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 uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest .
(Matthew 14:28-29)

My garden provided me with a personal understanding of this parable in Matthew when I went to weed it this weekend. I planted seeds early in the Spring and baby plants are starting to show but when I went to yank the weeds, I realized I was not sure of the difference between the tiny new plants and the tiny new weeds! Some looked “weedy” but I had no idea if that was the case. My only solution is to let them all continue to grow until the time comes when the difference is clear.

Jesus teaches in this parable that we, in our limited, earth-bound knowledge and understanding, cannot judge others by appearances. We do not see as God sees. 

The person sitting at the front of the church every Sunday in their best suit, singing with upraised hands and eyes may be further from God than the person at the back of the church wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops. Only God can see truly what is in a person’s heart.  

For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). 

So, if you are like me, and are sometimes quick to judge on appearance, remember the flowers and the weeds.