The wheat and the weeds

Peter Frere | Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43 

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 ears, then the weeds also appeared.... The servants asked him, “Do you want us to go and pull them up?” “No,” he answered, “because while you are pulling up 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.”’

Jesus goes on to explain the meaning of the parable to his disciples. As Peter explains, it's a parable that speaks of God's patience and desire to save as many people as possible, but also of coming judgement. How should we respond to this story?

The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service. It is introduced by Bobbie Frere with a reading by Kate Routley.

For copyright reasons we can't include the music in the recording, but this was the first service since the pandemic started when we have been able to have live music and sing together as a congregation.