Matthew 13:24-30 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Anyone wishing to be a disciple should study this parable very closely. Jesus is describing those who accept the message of the Kingdom of Heaven who are mixed in with those who do not. The problem is that many times, we have no idea which is which. We assume that because someone attends church and is active in church programs, that person must automatically be a strong Christian. But that might not be the case.
As a young man, a pastor friend of ours was a highly successful businessman, and a faithful church member, even serving on the church board; however, he had never actually made Jesus Lord of his life, nor did he realize that he needed to do so. Our friend’s life changed the Sunday that speakers for a Lay Witness Mission came to his church to give their testimonies. Standing at the back of the church listening, our friend suddenly realized that he was NOT a Christian, but only a church member. Our friend went forward, committing his life to Christ. Shortly after that conversion, our friend left the business world to attend seminary and become a pastor.
By the time we knew this man, he had been a successful pastor for several years; yet, before his conversion, he would have counted as a weed in this parable, even though he appeared to be a wheat plant. We also have a friend who loves motorcycles and looks very menacing; yet, he has gone to Sturgis, South Dakota several times to witness to those attending the annual bikers’ gathering. Our friend looks very much like a weed, but he is actually part of the wheat.
Why is this short parable so important? Many of us judge by appearances while God knows people’s hearts. In the parable, the land owner wisely refuses to allow his servants to try to uproot the weeds, fearing that the roots of the weeds are intertwined with those of the wheat. Tear up the weeds and you might also tear up the wheat before it’s ready to harvest.
How should disciples proceed? We must view everyone as “potential wheat; that is, as a potential citizen of God’s Kingdom.” Disciples should always exhibit the character of Jesus, who had no problems socializing with the dregs of society. But Jesus knew that those people were just as hungry for God as anyone else; they simply needed someone to show them the way.
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As disciples, these are the characteristics that we are to exhibit to all those around us. May God help us so that we will continue to see people as He does-seekers after God who only need someone to point them in the right direction and to assist them to find God so that He can change them from weeds to wheat.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that all those around us are potential citizens of Your Kingdom and to treat them as such. Help us to continue to point people to You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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