Pulling weeds out of my flowerbeds is often a tiring but rewarding task. The result is a neat garden and healthy plants that do not have to compete with weeds for nutrients and water.


It’s satisfying to uproot weeds and banish them from the garden. But it is also vexing when they have wrapped themselves around the bases of the shrubs and flowers, their intertwining roots damaging the plants in removal. These images, familiar to Jesus’ first hearers as well as to us, are speaking of more than just the garden.


Both Christians and unbelievers live side by side. In government, schools, even churches, “weeds” have set their roots deep, causing us to be discouraged at the extent of wickedness around us. We may wonder why God doesn’t stop the spread of evil, but He has already told us the answer. Christ will return, and He will bring judgment with Him. Evil will not always be free to work its insidious ways. Until then, let’s be salt and light in our society, trusting His timing and serving Jesus until He comes.