“The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.” (Matthew 13:38 NLT)
In yesterday’s post we looked at pain and suffering from the standpoint of our own responsibility. We considered that much of what we often tend to think of as “pain and suffering,” is brought about by our own negligence or disobedience to the clear instructions of Scripture. Admittedly, especially if we come to Christ late in life, much of our pain and suffering is the result of reckless living, the “logical consequences” of a life devoted to sin. However, there are circumstances, accidents, diseases, offenses committed against us over which we have little or no control or responsibility, from which we suffer greatly. Where is God in these?
In the verse above, from the parable of the Wheat and Weeds in Matthew 13, Jesus explains that the farmer planted good seed, which, according to Jesus’ explanation of the parable, were people who belong to the Kingdom of God, but the “weeds” were people who belong to the evil one. From the very beginning, God has given mankind the gift of choice.
In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve exercised their free will to choose to disobey God’s clear instructions. The result of their sin was a world of evil out of control, so much so the Lord regretted creating them, and chose to cover the earth with water, killing every human being except those He allowed to enter the Ark.
Fast forward to 2023 and you see a growing population dominated by evil the likes of which the world has never seen. Jesus said in Luke 17:26-27: “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.” Everyone was so busy carrying on life as usual they had no time or interest in what God was doing. What’s my point?
When sin is rampant good people, yes, even people of God, including children, handicapped, mentally challenged, and others who can’t care for themselves, are going to be neglected and hurt. Is that to imply that God has lost control? Certainly not! But God’s hands and feet on earth are His Church, His people, but the ever-increasing need is so great, and the world population is expanding so quickly there is unprecedented need.
It’s heart-breaking to see all the suffering in the world today, but it’s not that God is turning a deaf ear. Every day there are those who are answering His call to go to “the uttermost parts of the world,” for evangelism certainly, but many are seeking to bring clean water, medical help, education, and training. There are those who are going to the impoverished of the world to teach them how to grow their own food; to establish means of generating income through small businesses; and in other ways being the visible hands and feet of Jesus.
But what compounds the suffering and pain of many is the blatant evil that is rampant in our world. It’s estimated that nearly a million young people are kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery every year in America alone. Multiply that by the number of people who are slaves to alcohol and drugs and you have a world that makes Sodom and Gomorrah look like a 1960’s Disney movie.
God is our only hope! He opened a way to know and love Him and become a part of the solution rather than continue as part of the problem. If Satan can keep people’s minds filled with darkness, blaming God for what He gave His only Son to address, the world will only get darker.
We must, as God’s children, live fully committed, no-holds barred for Jesus. We are God’s answer to the needs of mankind. We have the Good News that can change people’s hearts and lives. We have the powerful Holy Spirit who can work miracles and change this world for good, one person at a time, but we must take our lives in Christ more seriously. We must make prayer the priority in our lives that it has to be.
God isn’t slack, but neither will He do for us what He’s commissioned us to do. We must seek first His Kingdom being diligent in carrying out our Father’s Business. This is no time to be lazy or negligent when it comes to our walk with the Lord. It’s a time to commit everything we are to everything He is. The salvation of the people in our spheres of influence are depending on it! Why is that so important? Because there is no greater pain than not knowing Jesus!
Holy Father help us!
Blessings, Ed
Walking With Jesus 