Let’s explore Jesus’s parable Kingdom of Heaven -Wheat and Tares. It speaks to the struggle determining those who serve the Kingdom of Heaven from those who serve the enemy’s kingdom.
Matthew 13:24-30 (KJV)
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.
Discussion Matthew 13:24-30
God’s Kingdom vs. Enemies Kingdom
Jesus makes a comparison of those who serve the kingdom of Heaven and those who serve the enemies kingdom. The enemy has planted his disciples so closely to the servants of God that to uproot them too soon could also do harm to the kingdom of Heaven.
The Good Seed
So as Jesus sows the seed giving us the message of God’s love, the good seed are those of us who accept it into our hearts. But the enemy comes in secret and plants the tares along side the good seed. So closely intertwined that it can not be distinguished.
The Tares
The wheat and the tares appear almost identical until they mature to fruit. It is at that point the fruit makes the difference apparent. The tares fruit is poisonous and if enough is consumed will kill you.
Servant of the Kingdom
The Christian Disciple is the servant of the kingdom. We must walk the path and remain obedient, leading by example. Our fruit must set us apart. The poison that is evidenced in the fruit of the enemy is a warning. Avoid that which is not of the kingdom of Heaven.
Don’t Pull Out the Tares
The servants ask Jesus if they should pull out the tares, but he warns them it’s a job for his reapers. They’re not equipped to always tell the difference. Jesus is saying that we as Christians may not judge who is or is not of the kingdom of Heaven with certainty. Maybe someone is not of the kingdom of Heaven today, but will be tomorrow. We are cautioned about how to deal with the nonbeliever. The tares standing with us can not be weeded out without damage to God’s kingdom.
Until The Harvest
So we have been given time to spread the Gospel to all the world. We have until the harvest to share the news to as many as possible. We have a window to grow the kingdom of Heaven and to lead many to salvation. Perhaps the increase of the Kingdom of Heaven through the great commission is the fruit of the good seed.
Matthew 13:36-43 (KJV)
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.
Discussion Matthew 13:36-43
The Harvest
Jesus continues to describe the harvest as the end of the age. And the reapers are his angels who will separate the wheat from the tares. Only the angels, not men, are authorized to remove the tares from the wheat. All that offends the kingdom of Heaven is removed from it. The tares are bundled and burned in fire.
It is clear that there are ultimately consequences for following the ways of “the world” and the enemies kingdom.
Why has God allowed the evil in the world? Their is temptation to act, to take matters into our own hands where this evil is concerned. When it is possible to save the innocent, I too struggle with this. How can we just stand by and watch? But we are warned that we are not equipped to make those determinations alone. Perhaps we are faced with factors we have not considered. Information that we are not privy to and our actions could harm the kingdom of Heaven. Which obviously would be an opposite result of what was intended.
Advancing the Kingdom
It is a slow growth that advances the Kingdom of Heaven. As the wheat and tares slowly mature the evil force will be pushed away slowly. The message will be accepted by some and rejected by others. Some messages influence but some are defeated along the way. And we are taught patience in the waiting. Faith must be demonstrated clearly so that we can succeed in growing God’s kingdom in the way that it is intended. But the parable warns that the multitudes do not just come running to salvation. There is evil opposition and false discipleship in direct conflict with the message. We are warned to be prepared…
Working In Tandem
- The Mustard Seed – Matthew 13:31-32
- The Leaven –Matthew 13:33-34
For the Love of God,
Sparks
