Matt. 13: 24-30
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Matt. 13: 36-43
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Lesson taught by this parable is such an important concept that it actually had to be presented in two parts. First, Jesus spoke the parable (Matt. 13:24-30) to the multitude. He more fully explained it to his disciples in Matt. 13: 36-43. If the Twelve Chosen Disciples needed further elucidation concerning the parable, then we too, must carefully examine its lesson to assure that we have a good understanding of its meaning.
Tares are defined as an injurious weed that resembles wheat when it is young. Therefore, when wheat and tares are growing early on they look very similar. This Parable is meant to help us understand that the saved and unsaved people of the “church-world” may look just alike for a period of time. But, the evilness of the “unsaved church member” will eventually manifest its true nature. The proper time to root out the “unsaved evil church member” rests within the Mind and Province of Almighty God. It is therefore important for those who are saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost to not become unduly stressed and fearful when God does the “God-thing” of removing the tares. It should actually be comforting to know that our God is Sovereign; He sees all and knows all; and that He will do the separating of the wheat and tares at a time that He deems appropriate. Let the true Saints of God draw even closer to God as He moves. Words adapted from an old Christian hymn should encourage us to do just that:
We know not the day or the hour
When Lord shall call us home
That’s why we have to get our house in order
Don’t let Him catch us with our work undone.
We have to be ready when Jesus comes.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father I thank you for true salvation based on your Word. Father, please encourage those who are at risk of being removed as tares to be saved before its everlasting too late. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
