�X Why do the proven criminals get away with suspended sentences?
�X How come those that cheat on tests and assignments in school never seem to get caught and they get the good grades without having to work as hard as I do?
�X Why is it that I work my tail off at my job and the lazy ones get promoted?
�X Why does it seem that evil is rewarded?

These parables gave Jesus’ hearers a picture of God’s Kingdom growing and thriving alongside evil in this world.

Trans: Jesus is trying to calm our fears as he basically explains that …
� God is still in control even when the world appears in chaos
God knows what is going on.

When the master was asked where did the weeds come from he didn’t say “I don’t know.” He quickly replied, “An enemy did this.”

I can just imagine the response going on in the minds of his workers. “Ya think! Wow! What an astute* observation!”
“Well, I suppose you want us to go weed the field”

The master says “No, not yet. But don’t worry. I will deal with the weeds when the time is right.”

God does not react. He is not a reactive god, He is a proactive* god.
By this I mean God does not allow Himself to be controlled by the situation.

He does not allow our choices dictate His actions.

God has set the plan, explained all the conditions, and at the correct times He will respond to the choices of the people.

The enemy has caused a problem, but notice, the weeds could not stop the growth of the wheat.
Satan will not stop the growth of God’s Kingdom

Trans: Just because He does not respond immediately does not mean a person has escaped punishment. Jesus assures us that …
� There is a future time for the judgment of good and evil
The master says that it is not time just yet to pull the weeds. But, just so that you should know, I have assigned a time for 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.”

I find it amazing everyone wants swift* judgment unless it is to be directed at them; then they want mercy.

The “harvest” was a common metaphor* for the final judgment.
Jesus was making the point that while his coming signaled the arrival of the kingdom, its consummation would be delayed.

The children of God and children of Satan would grow together until the harvest.

Then, God would judge and separate his children from Satan’s children.

Trans: Some have asked, “why the delay? Why put off what is inevitable*?” While he doesn’t state it here, there is plenty of scripture to support the truth that …