– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares
In one sense, all of the Lord’s parables are about the kingdom of heaven, but there are a collection of parables which begin in Matthew 13 that we commonly call the kingdom parables. Each begins with the statement, “The kingdom of heaven is like…”
The parable of the wheat and tares is the first of the kingdom parables, recorded in Matthew 13:24-30. It builds upon the parable of the sower which precedes it. The sower spreads the seed in his field, with expectation of a good crop. However, while the workers of the field slept, an enemy slipped in and sowed tares (false grain, Strong’s) among the wheat. As the crop grows, the workers see that tares are growing along with the good grain. While they have confidence in the quality of the seed sown by the field’s master, the presence of the tares perplexes them. The owner of the field perceives that it was an enemy. But what should be done now?
The servants urge immediate action to eliminate the tares, but the master warns of the risk of collateral damage to the wheat. At harvest time, the reapers would separate the tares from the wheat. They would burn the tares when they gathered the wheat into the barn.
So, what does the parable of the wheat and tares mean? Last week, we asserted that the Lord often gave parbles without explanation. We must do the work, reading with a mind to understand. We must hear with ears to hear. However, the parable of the wheat and tares is one of the rare occasions when Jesus provides an explanation.
The disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable to them (Matthew 13:36). Hear what He said:
He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but te tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. (Matthew 13:37-40)
When the Lord created the earth and mankind, it was very good (Genesis 1:31). Tempting and overcoming Eve, Satan introduced evil to the world. He continues to sow wickedness in the hearts of men to this day. It would have been just for God to destroy the wicked and take the righteous from the world long ago. He did not.
Last week, as we looked at the Sower, we remarked that individuals can change their spiritual soil. In fact, the Lord desires that we soften our hearts to His word, so that we may bear fruitts and inherit eternal life. The Lord continues to be patient with us, delaying the time of the harvest, for He does not want any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). All have been sons of the wicked one, for all have sinned (Romans 3:23). The gospel is given to release those who are in bondage to the devil, that they might become sons of God (John 8:31-32).
The judgment is coming and when it does, the sons of the devil will be gathered up and cast into hell (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:15). The righteous will be received into the heavenly kingdom to live with God eternally.
Friend, where do you fit into the Lord’s parable? Are you a son of the devil, doing the will of Satan in this world? The devil is doomed for hell, and he would like nothing better for you than to have you there with him. Don’t follow his plan! God sent Jesus to be a Saviour to the world. Jesus died to bear the penalty for our sins. Jesus now lives as evidence that God’s promise of eternal life is true. Won’t you obey the gospel, live righteously in this life, and live eternally in heaven?
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
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