Worship At Home 19.7.20 “A World of Wheat and Weeds” 

written by Helen Boshier

A Call to Worship
Hear the words of the psalmist:

‘Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart to revere your name.’
Come now, ready to learn, eager to walk in the truth;
worship the holy name of the Lord.
Amen.

Hymn StF 51 Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my father https://youtu.be/ErwiBz1QA4o (a hymn of assurance to help in difficult times)

Prayer of Praise and Confession
Gracious and loving God, we bring you our praises this morning for you are a faithful God whose love is constant, whose care is never exhausted and whose purpose will not be defeated. We thank you for everything you have given us through Jesus and for everything we see of you through him. Through him we know you to be a God of love and compassion, slow to anger and full of mercy. Through Jesus we know you to be a God of infinite patience, infinite care with time for each one of us – and so we bring you our heartfelt praise and thanks.

Gracious and loving God, we know only too well that, so often, we fail to make time for you and fail to find time to serve you and so we ask your forgiveness -

we take a few moments to bring to mind the things in our lives for which we need God’s forgiveness.

Through Jesus we know we can be forgiven when we are truly sorry and so we thank you that you are always ready to forgive, to accept us, to respond to us and to help us in our time of need. Teach us to create space in our lives for you and for others – particularly those most in need whatever the need might be. As we worship you, as we reflect on your word may we understand more of what it means to follow you and may we be strengthened by your Holy Spirit to be more the people you need us to be. We bring our prayers in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Engaging With Scripture 

Setting the Scene - How well do you know the parables of Jesus?

Jesus often used parables to teach people about God’s way. Here are a number of clues. Can you name that parable from each clue? (Answers below at the end of the service). 

1. In this story 99 are risked to save one.
2. In this tale, a day’s pay doesn’t correspond to a day worked.
3. This story is about recognising value and making a sacrifice for it.
4. This parable has given us a name for a kind, altruistic stranger.
5. This story involves an unexpected knocking at the door.
6. This parable might be the favourite of contractors and construction workers.
7. The smallest becomes the greatest in this parable about growth.
8. In this story, an enemy nearly ruins a farmer’s good work.

While this is a bit of fun, the more important question to consider is why did Jesus teach in parables? The answer is to engage people, to get them to think and to evoke a response. Because I have learnt this about God and God’s way I need to think and do this. Our reading this morning is the parable indicated by the last clue.

Reading Matthew 13 v 24-30 & 36-43 “The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds”

²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Reflection

“Who are the baddies and who are the goodies?” That’s what my nephew, aged 7, always wanted to know when watching a film or TV programme – and usually it was easy to tell with the kind of things he was allowed to watch at that time. It’s an appealing idea, “Baddies and Goodies, Heroes and Villains”- straightforward, you know where you are and the assumption is good will always triumph and the baddies will get their comeuppance.

On the surface, this is what this familiar parable of the wheat and the weeds is all about. However, if we delve deeper it is far more complex and there is much that is challenging and encouraging. The obvious message is the wheat are all those who follow God’s way as seen in Jesus and seek to show his kingdom values in their daily lives, attitudes and actions. In contrast, the weeds are all those whose attitudes and actions oppose God’s will and way. There is a real and present conflict going on between the forces of good and those of evil. The forces of evil can be blatant. Just look at the world at the moment – so much that is distressing; so many examples of injustice, prejudice, conflict and suffering. The situation in the Yemen is the one I find most upsetting; a human made civil war exacerbated by the effects of disease, hunger and now Covid-19 – and who suffer most, the children. In the 21^st century we are still seeing pictures of malnourished children with swollen bellies and stick like limbs. It must be breaking God’s heart. Of course, as Christians we are called to speak up and act where there is need and suffering because of overt injustice, oppression and prejudice. That, however, is not really what Jesus was getting at in this parable.

Jesus was challenging our natural inclinations which are so different from God’s way. The wheat and weeds are allowed to grow side by side. Apparently, the weeds Jesus was referring to were darnel – a plant which looked very similar to the wheat for much of the growing time, so judging between the two before they were fully grown would be tricky and potentially dangerous to the wheat.

We, however, like to make snap judgements about people. How can he / she say that and still be a Christian? How can they say they’re a Christian and go and do that? We make judgments about who matters in society, who we trust, who we like, who we dislike. Recent months have shown that, as a society, we may not have placed as much value as we should on those who we need when we’re really up against it. Front line health and care workers along with all those who provide essential services, we now know matter so much – and yet, many are amongst the lowest paid in the country. And how many of us have realised how important our hairdressers are? Human judgements are flawed. We can too easily jump to the wrong conclusions or miss value and potential in others because we don’t see the full picture or because we make decisions based on our own prejudices, likes and dislikes. I will own up to frequently making adverse judgements about people who read certain newspapers which I deem wrong in their views! In the parable of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus calls us to live alongside others without making snap, ill-informed judgements. Only God can understand and judge all things.

We often like to see baddies get their comeuppance and we’re impatient for that to happen. Many is the time I have given up watching the soaps because they are taking too long to get to the point where the baddy gets what’s deserved. In the parable the wheat and the weeds are given time – time to grow. There will be a final judgement – a final separation but not until both are fully developed. This gets us to the heart of the message which is God’s patience and mercy with all of us. God longs for all to come to know him as seen in Jesus, to follow his ways and reflect his love and grace in the way they respond to others. That is how God’s Kingdom grows, becomes real and evident in the here and now. There is time – time to turn to God, time to repent, time to grow closer to God and follow him more faithfully – and that is the Good News – the gospel of Jesus Christ who through his death and resurrection showed that all the forces ranged against God will not have the last word. For me this is the most encouraging part of the parable because I know that I need that time as much as anyone. If we’re honest we will recognise that at times we’re more weed than wheat; that the battle between God’s way and our own selfish way goes on inside each of us. We can all be selfish, petty, seeing things only from our own point of view. We can all be guilty of being impatient with others, mean spirited, lacking in grace and generosity. None of us can claim to be perfect!

 As it says in 1John 1v 8 – 10

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Remembering that we are not the finished article should help us avoid making snap judgements about others. After all, a judgemental and critical spirit rarely gets anyone anywhere and can often cause pain and resentment. God is patient with us so we should be patient with others.

Rather than leap to conclusions about others, our job is to grow – grow as individuals and as a worshipping community. Matthew begins Ch 13 with the very familiar parable of the sower. This could be called the parable of the soils – because it asks us to think about the type of soil we are. Are we the type of soil in which the word of God grows and flourishes? Do we, through our attitudes, words, and actions reflect God’s kingdom values so that the good news is shared with others? Like many, I have struggled in the last few months and missed the fellowship and encouragement of worshipping, learning and meeting with others. Technology has helped a lot – there’s no denying it - and opened up new possibilities which we can explore and develop in the future – but that human contact has been sorely missed. More than ever that daily discipline of prayer and Bible reflection is essential to staying rooted in Christ.

A final encouraging thought. We are never left to struggle on alone. The God we worship is the farmer – a good and gracious farmer who is still tending the soil, who is still with us, watching over us with loving care, giving us the strength to grow and equipping us to reflect his love, patience and mercy in our attitudes and actions to others. Thanks be to him!

Hymn StF 416 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy https://youtu.be/Jq6NdOsCdOU (tune Cross of Jesus)
Note there are other versions available on YouTube with other tunes.

Prayers of Concern

Jesus often used the image of seeds to illustrate his teaching. These prayers take up that idea by thinking of prayers as seeds which we plant and offer to God. After each section there is space for your own thoughts and prayers. 
(Adapted from The Intercessions Resource Book by John Pritchard).

Let us Pray

Imagine you are planting seeds of prayer in the garden of God’s grace and love –

First of all, plant seeds of prayer for your family and close friends. These are the ones you care deeply about, knowing them well, with all their beauty and sharp edges. You know their needs today, and their challenges. Plant those seeds of prayer for them now and trust God to bring about the growth………

Now plant some seeds of prayer for people you know less well but are part of the tapestry of your life – neighbours, people you work with or see regularly – see who comes to mind. Plant seeds of prayer for these people who you may not always pray for but who God lays on your heart………….

Now plant seeds of prayer for those in the public eye, for good or ill – particularly during these difficult  times – politicians, decision makers, front line medical and care staff, all other key workers ……… who does God bring to mind and what support, strength and help might they need at the moment? Plant seeds of prayer for some of these people now……………….

Further away in the garden of God’s love, seeds of prayer are needed for people and places sinking under the pressure of the Covid-19 pandemic along with other problems such as war, hunger, natural disaster and bad government. Take a handful of seeds and plant them well, for this is where they can get trampled on and eaten up. Plant those seeds deep and water them well, and be prepared to return often to care for the fragile early growth………………

You have seeds left over. Cast them wide over the whole garden, for we have a world deeply in need of prayer. Cast those seeds with love and joy, for it is our privilege to work with God to sustain and bring healing to the world as signs of God’s kingdom breaking in ………….

You have one seed left. Plant this as a prayer for yourself. What does your heart seek? What do you most need? Where do you feel vulnerable and in need of comfort and strength? Plant that seed carefully now………..

We bring our seeds of prayer this morning trusting that God will bring growth so they flourish as signs of his love as seen in Jesus  Amen.      

The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn StF 407 Hear the call of the Kingdom - https://youtu.be/hjRmIEhkHnw

this YouTube version shows Kristyn Getty teaching the song at a church in San Diego.

Blessing

God is patient and forgiving.
He sees the good in us
and gives us time to heal.
May God the Father bless us,
God the Son keep us and
God the Holy Spirit strengthen us
now and always.
Amen.

Answers to Quiz

1. Parable of the lost sheep.
2. Parable of the labourers in the vineyard.
3. Parable of the pearl.
4. Parable of the Good Samaritan.
5. Parable of the friend at night.
6. The parable of the wise and foolish builders.
7. The parable of the mustard seed.
8. The parable of the wheat and the weeds.