This Sunday and next, we'll look at parables that help us think through what we're called to be and do as disciples. This week, we begin with what's not in the job description. Our scripture is from Matthew 13.24-30: [Jesus] put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” 28He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” 29But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ A couple of questions to consider as we get to Sunday: 1. What is this Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus talks so much about for the rest of Matthew? This is actually the first time he uses the phrase in the book. What's he trying to get at here? 2. If we're not supposed to pull up the bad weeds, what are we supposed to do? Ignore them? I always like exploring the parables. I'd love to hear what you have to say about this one.