There are
times to make judgements, about ourselves and others. Decisions need to be
made, actions undertaken, help to be given. However, I’ve learnt that once we
make the judgement (this is who they are, this is what they are like, etc.) we
stop learning about ourselves/others. The conversation ends. This is who they
are … So, although judgements are necessary at times, I find it helpful to make
the judgement temporary and to once again open up the conversation of learning
about others and myself.
The
parable of the wheat and the weeds (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43) appears, at first
glance, to be a parable of judgement. But it is a parable asking us to delay
judgement. It is God who judges and God’s envoy who will sift at the end of the
age. We are not asked to judge. (cf. Matt 7:1-5)
The death
and resurrection of Jesus bear the mark of this eschatological judgement. (Rom
6:10; 8:1; 2Cor 5:19; Heb 7:27) God, in Christ, is delaying judgement. (2Pet
3:8-10)
The above
reading of the parable of the wheat and weeds might provide a way in for some
people who struggle with the language of Christ bearing our sin. Without
touching on how the death of Jesus delays judgement, the language of the
graceful delay of judgement on God’s part in the death and resurrection of
Jesus is important to recognise.
