DAY 78
Marc Turnage
Scripture
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.
“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?’
“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“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. 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.’” - Matthew 13:24-30
In today’s teaching, we are reminded that sometimes we get frustrated with others’ slow development (especially as parents!), and even our own. In that, we can become too judgmental, thinking others (or we) should be further along spiritually than is reality.
But Marc challenges us to give it time. The purpose of today’s parable is to remind us that today is the day of God’s mercy. Jesus punctuates this truth, teaching that the householder—the father—is patient. As long as there is daylight, as long as we’re in the growing season, there is hope and there is mercy.
Question: What does it mean to be people marked by resurrection? Is there anything growing in your life that seemed like a good idea at first but over time has proven to be a weed and not wheat?
Family Chat: Do you sometimes think friends or classmates are "better than" you, or that you are "better than" them? What would Jesus say about that?
Take Action: Invite the Holy Spirit to uproot any weeds He has revealed and strengthen the roots of your wheat. Find small, unnoticeable ways to humbly serve others today, especially if you’ve been judgmental lately in your thinking towards them.
Additional Resources: