Matthew 13:28

Matthew 13:28

Observe:

I. what is the cause of all the evil which we see in the world and the Church. "An enemy hath done this." In so far as we are striving against that enemy, we gain courage to do the work of One who is greater than he. As there are times when man must sleep and leave an opportunity for an enemy to come in so, our Lord means to tell us there are times and circumstances in which the utmost vigilance of man cannot keep out the enemy of man. Or, in other words, his power for evil is greater than ours for good; and while the present system lasts he will still have opportunities for evil. "While men slept" for they are but men; and ceaseless vigilance and successful continual watching is beyond the reach of man. Understand that we must not expect perfect success for work we do for God. "While men slept;" ay, even when they are doing their very best, the enemy will interfere to hinder.

II. There is a sleep man may avoid, a failure he may prevent a sleep of carelessness and sloth; and how much has the enemy had the opportunity to sow while men slept such a sleep as this! How often should the watcher have watched while the enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat! There are lessons of warning and encouragement in those two sentences. An enemy is sowing and we are sleeping; yet how much more constantly and frequently might we wake and watch. The lesson of the text forbids our being too sanguine or having too exalted expectations in any work we engage in for God; and yet it teaches us, on the other hand, not to give up in despair. It is a lesson which forbids presumption or despondency; a lesson which warns us to more strenuous vigilance; a lesson of the loving Saviour, which teaches us, if at times, being but men, we slumber, and the enemy seizes his opportunity, perseverance, faith, courage, anything but despondency, anything but carelessness, when we are doing a work for God and for Christ.

Bishop Magee, Christian World Pulpit,vol. i., p. 305.