Thursday 16 October 2025
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” (v. 36)
Background
Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the weeds is stark and challenging. It speaks of judgment, separation, and the triumph of righteousness. In the context of Prisons Week, this passage invites us to wrestle with the tension between justice and mercy, and between accountability and grace.
Prison chaplaincy is at the heart of this tension. Chaplains walk alongside people who have caused harm and those who have been harmed. They do not ignore wrongdoing, but they also do not define people solely by their worst moments. The parable reminds us that the field is mixed – wheat and weeds grow together and, in the same way, people are a mixture of good and bad. Sorting the good from the bad is not our task; it is God’s.
The promise of 'shining like the sun' in verse 43 is not reserved for the perfect, but for the righteous – those who seek God, who turn toward grace, who live in the light. In prison, righteousness may manifest as repentance, reconciliation, or simply the courage to hope. It may be found in the quiet prayers of someone longing for change, or in the faithful presence of a chaplain who refuses to give up on anyone.
This passage calls us to trust in God’s justice, but also to live as people of grace. We are not the harvesters – we are the sowers, the nurturers, the companions. And we are called to shine.
To Ponder:
- How do we hold together justice and mercy?
- What does 'shining like the sun' mean in the context of prison life?
- Where do you see signs of righteousness growing in unlikely places?
Prayer
God of justice and grace, you see the whole field – the wheat and the weeds. Help us to trust in your wisdom and mercy. Bless those who live and work in prisons, who seek righteousness in places of pain. May your light shine through us, and may we reflect your love to all we meet. Amen.
Bible notes author: Gary Hopkins
This week is Prisons Week. You can read about The Methodist Church's work in prisons here. Gary Hopkins works for the Connexional Team as the Ministry Development Officer responsible for lay ministries and chaplaincy. He is a local preacher, church musician and hymn writer.
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