So many people are eager to pull out the weeds, often in other people's gardens. They think their garden to be immaculate while that of another is rife with weeds. But wheat and weeds look identical; it is not until much later that their differences begin to appear. It is impossible to know their difference until the distinguishing characteristics appear. How often do we harm the wheat in our excessive zeal in seeking to pull out the weeds?
It is often wisest to let these things be handled by the master gardener. We often want to correct others but rarely ourselves. In correcting others how often are our efforts counterproductive and harmful. We are so quick to expel, excommunicate, deport, execute, and imprison another - so quick to deny due process to those people but insist upon it for ourselves. How many innocents do we harm - how many guilty who may have reformed, but instead die or become hardened by our actions!
The same disciples who would wield the sickle in the garden were the same who wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan town who rejected them. Jesus had to rebuke his disciples then, just as he does now in our time and in our present circumstances. Would that we would spend more time in the sick bays, hospitals, homeless shelters, migrant camps, care facilities, and prisons and less time in pulpits and podia! Would that we would tend the weeds of our own garden!
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