Weedmaster
A friend of mine works for a company with a similar sounding name. Every time I call and get his voicemail, he clearly says the name of the company but I automatically hear "weedmaster." I was thinking about this the other day and almost forgot to leave my message. The following is where my mind goes when I think about the weedmaster.
In Matthew 13, Jesus gives us two parables that come to my mind when I think about the weedmaster. First, the parable of the sower. Jesus explains in verse 22 that the seed that falls among thorns is someone who hears the word, "but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." Beware of the thorny weeds. These are the ones that grow up in your life and choke the word of God that would otherwise make a difference in your life. Jesus specifically defines these weeds as "worries" and "wealth."
What about the "worries of this life?" Isn't it just natural to worry about things? Some might would even say that a certain amount of worry is healthy. Some worry indicates that we are indeed truly concerned about something. Worry, like anger, is not bad in and of itself. It's what we do with that worry that's important. When we worry, we should immediately turn to the Lord. "Do not be anxious about anything..." (Phil. 4:6) When worry turns to anxiety, it reveals that our trust is not in Jesus as it should be. It is a warning sign from the Holy Spirit. When you start to feel anxious, turn to the Lord in prayer and cast all of your worries upon Him. When you do, you will receive the "peace of God."
The "deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." What does this mean? When we are "wealthy," we may believe we have less of a need for God. I say "may believe" because Jesus didn't say that wealth itself is the thorny weed. He said the "deceitfulness of wealth" is the thorny weed. Once again, where do you place your trust? Also, "wealth" doesn't just refer to money. You may be wealthy in spirit (that is human spirit) and see no need for God. Earlier in Matthew, Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." We need to be not so full of our self, but full of the Holy Spirit. Beware of thinking that the Bible or Word is a self help book. We must deny self, identify ourselves with the Cross of Jesus crucifying self daily, and follow Jesus. This is exactly where the "rich young ruler" was not willing to go.
Finally, Jesus tells the parable of the weeds in Matthew 13. This weed story indicates a different kind of weed. Jesus is telling us that there are weeds in the church. These weeds are not true followers of Jesus Christ. We are told not to pull the weeds but let them grow along with the grain in the field. At harvest time, the weeds will be bound and destroyed. It's not my place to identify and destroy the weeds. The point of this story is that Jesus and Jesus alone is the weedmaster. Are you truly a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you completely place your trust in Him? He is the weedmaster. If you open your life to Him, He will come and clean the weeds out of your life. You cannot clean them out yourself. You need the weedmaster. And, one day, Jesus Himself will come and weed out the church. Will you be a weed or wheat?
Alan L. Thomas <><
In Matthew 13, Jesus gives us two parables that come to my mind when I think about the weedmaster. First, the parable of the sower. Jesus explains in verse 22 that the seed that falls among thorns is someone who hears the word, "but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." Beware of the thorny weeds. These are the ones that grow up in your life and choke the word of God that would otherwise make a difference in your life. Jesus specifically defines these weeds as "worries" and "wealth."
What about the "worries of this life?" Isn't it just natural to worry about things? Some might would even say that a certain amount of worry is healthy. Some worry indicates that we are indeed truly concerned about something. Worry, like anger, is not bad in and of itself. It's what we do with that worry that's important. When we worry, we should immediately turn to the Lord. "Do not be anxious about anything..." (Phil. 4:6) When worry turns to anxiety, it reveals that our trust is not in Jesus as it should be. It is a warning sign from the Holy Spirit. When you start to feel anxious, turn to the Lord in prayer and cast all of your worries upon Him. When you do, you will receive the "peace of God."
The "deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." What does this mean? When we are "wealthy," we may believe we have less of a need for God. I say "may believe" because Jesus didn't say that wealth itself is the thorny weed. He said the "deceitfulness of wealth" is the thorny weed. Once again, where do you place your trust? Also, "wealth" doesn't just refer to money. You may be wealthy in spirit (that is human spirit) and see no need for God. Earlier in Matthew, Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." We need to be not so full of our self, but full of the Holy Spirit. Beware of thinking that the Bible or Word is a self help book. We must deny self, identify ourselves with the Cross of Jesus crucifying self daily, and follow Jesus. This is exactly where the "rich young ruler" was not willing to go.
Finally, Jesus tells the parable of the weeds in Matthew 13. This weed story indicates a different kind of weed. Jesus is telling us that there are weeds in the church. These weeds are not true followers of Jesus Christ. We are told not to pull the weeds but let them grow along with the grain in the field. At harvest time, the weeds will be bound and destroyed. It's not my place to identify and destroy the weeds. The point of this story is that Jesus and Jesus alone is the weedmaster. Are you truly a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you completely place your trust in Him? He is the weedmaster. If you open your life to Him, He will come and clean the weeds out of your life. You cannot clean them out yourself. You need the weedmaster. And, one day, Jesus Himself will come and weed out the church. Will you be a weed or wheat?
Alan L. Thomas <><
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