Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in 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 angels. “As the weeds are pulled up 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 of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Such a stark and vivid picture of the judgment at the end of the age. It is a great analogy to help us understand questions like:
-Why is there evil in this world?
-How is it that God allows evil to exist?
-Why does it seem like the evil prosper along with the righteous?
-When will justice be served?

God sees us developing spiritually alongside evil, and if he removed it entirely, it might create some unintended consequences. I often find that I mature faster and grow closer to God in hardship and persecution, if I trust him and stay the course.

Maybe the trials and challenges of living in an evil world develop a stronger godly character in us?

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭44‬-‭45‬). Since we all live in the same world, we all are blessed by God’s creation and provision.

What a hope-filled statement we have here: “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” I look forward to shining so bright in God’s kingdom, surrounded by his presence and filled to overflowing with his goodness and love!

Lord, you have a master strategy that I don’t always understand. But I trust you. Teach me to seek you often and be filled by your presence. May your truth be my food and your love the path I walk down.