Tolerance Levels

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while

 everyone was sleeping, his enemy sowed weeds among the wheat and went away…

 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 might uproot the wheat…” His disciples

came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds on the field.” He answered,

‘the one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 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 and

the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters

are the angels. As the weeds are pulled and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of

the age...the Son of Man will send out his angels and they will weed out his angels and all

who do evil...Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

- Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43

   This parable contains both good news and bad news. So let us look at the good news first. The over-arching principle declared is that the kingdom of Christ has come! Take a moment to contemplate that statement: The Kingdom of Christ has come! I realize maybe you believe that the kingdom is to arrive at some later date. So much of the message from the church is anything but an assurance that Christ’s Kingdom has come. In that outlook what has happened to the church being the salt of the earth or light unto the world? But let me ask you, if the Kingdom of Christ hasn’t come, what did Christ accomplish 2000 years ago At the cross, Resurrection and His Ascension? Was it just a period of “benign neglect” or is He actively involved in His kingdom and the world? This surprises and saddens me. It saddens me to see so many people miss that hope and become discouraged. It saddens me that this hope is not the emphasis from the pulpits.

  Let us review how the kingdom differs from so many common perceptions and expectations. Let us start with the notion of “success.” We are all looking for instant success. I was taught in undergraduate classes that the problem with American Manufacturing was that very notion. We looked for short term success while foreign competitors looked for long term success to evaluate success or failure. I believe we as Christians need to look at success from that long term perspective.

  In that we see a spiritual truth play out. The kingdom comes like a seed. It comes in words, it comes in parables. It comes from a seed which is, technically, when planted “dead.”  It does not come like a steamroller or tidal wave. And it will never be the majority opinion or even a majority faith; for if it does, beware, something is wrong! But when it arrives in the hearts and minds of people, it is so persuasive and so powerful that they are changed and their lives are transformed. That is irresistible grace.

So turning to the bad news, there remain evil weeds in the midst of the wheat. How do we handle that? Is it to dismiss our role as being the salt and light and cede the world to the darkness? In a way that is what modern evangelicalism has done, either accommodating the culture or responding with retrenchment and isolation. Others ask questions reflecting doubt: ‘If the kingdom is here, why is there so much bad news? Why does the Kingdom of Christ cause so much struggle and conflict? Why is there so much resistance? Shouldn’t we just “coexist?” How can a little remnant really do anything? Why is God’s kingdom so small?’ The parable teaches, with the rest of scripture, that even in the midst of bad news, the hope for the present is real and powerful.

  These paradoxes are not the easiest thing to understand or accept. Several weeks ago, we noted even John the Baptist asked questions of Jesus such as “are you the One?” Turning to the words of Isaiah 44 we see that He is the One! Consider the words of Isaiah 44:6:

        “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts. I am the first and I am the last; beside me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come and what will happen. Fear not nor be afraid; have I told you from of old and declared it and you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”

   Consider, what is being conveyed here? The answer: there is no other God. It is the same assurance that is being conveyed in the parable of the weeds and the wheat. In the midst of the turmoil of Isaiah’s day, God’s kingdom was on the move and will come to fruition.

   So then, what should our reaction be; what is our tolerance level to the frustrations of mixing and tangling with the weeds of the world? Paul addresses that question in Romans 8:15. First, remember who you belong to. You are not the weeds, but the wheat! We have not received a Spirit of slavery to the world or a Spirit to fall back on in fear, but to face confidently our identity as having received a Spirit of adoption. In verse 17, we are invited and called to enter into the suffering with him that we may be glorified. What does that mean? Perhaps the presence of the evil weeds is being referenced? All of creation has suffered under the weight of sin. Jesus himself became sin on our behalf. He is reconciling the world through himself to God. So we look forward with hope to the freeing of the world from the weeds, from sin and from the evil one.

  Friends, reevaluate your outlook and attitudes and adjust your tolerance levels to that which reflects Christ - loyal, faithful, courageous and as people who shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Harry.