November 9th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES      

Matthew 13:24-26 (read also verses 27-30) “Jesus told them another parable: “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.”  

Weeds are not welcomed by gardeners or farmers. They divert nutrients and water that are needed by the plants they have sown. Logically, then weeds need to be either prevented or when they grow removed.  

In the case of the weeds Jesus referred to in today’s parable, removing the weeds was not wise. The weed in question was darnel. When it grows in a wheat field even the most trained eye cannot tell the difference between the desired wheat plant and the weed (darnel.) They look the same. Only when the wheat has finally ripened is it possible to separate out the darnel from the wheat.  

This parable pictures one of the problems Jesus presented in the parable of the Sower. Remember, He said, weeds refer “ . . . to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22) We in whom the Gospel has created faith are not always able to tell who are fellow believers and who are not.    

Through today’s parable Jesus continues to emphasize that sowing the seed and letting it grow is what matters. There will be a harvest in due time. At that time the “wheat” will be separated from the “darnel.” Until that time the desired and the undesired plants will be mixed together. God alone is in charge of the time when the “weeds” will be separated out.    Prayer: Grant, O Lord, that Your Gospel Word produces in me the faith that is necessary for eternal life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Sowing in the morning, sowing sees of kindness,   Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;  Waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping—  We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Refrain: 

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,  We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.  Bringing in the sheaves,  Bringing in the sheaves,  We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. 

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,  Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;  By and by the harvest and the labor ended—  We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Refrain: 

Going forth with weeping; sowing for the Master,  Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;  When our weeping’s over He will id us welcome—  We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Refrain:   (Knowles Shaw – 1874 – Public Domain)