Patience, Fruit and Compassion

by José Oyola

Part of the mystery of the kingdom is connected to the Father’s willingness to plant it in this sinful world. If we’re honest most of us probably would have chosen to get rid of evil first then plant the kingdom. It is a reminder that his ways are a lot different than ours.

Jesus shares about this in the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-30.

"24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 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.’

We see the wheat (sons of god) has been sown, and while men slept an enemy sowed tares (sons of the wicked). Wheat & tares look similar until the wheat produce grain (Fruit matters!). The servants ask if they should get rid of the tares, but the master says no, because removing the wicked prematurely could also damage those who belong to the Kingdom. Angels have been given the task to gather up the tares for judgment in the future.

What does this have to do with fasting? One of the benefits of fasting is getting clarity on our identity and role here on earth. God’s people represent the kingdom and we can be fruitful witnesses in the midst of the lost people around us. We are not called to get rid of evil people. Their fate is not a good one… We should ask God to give us compassion for those that He’s giving time to, being patient with them before judgment comes.