Monday, October 17, 2016

THE PARABLES of the WEEDS (Tares) in the GRAIN

Matthew 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.
 27So 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?
 28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
 30Let 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.


To GOD be the glory!  The central message of this parable is that the consummated kingdom of God will be different from the present kingdom (reign) in that the consummated kingdom will be in a perfected environment of only sons of the kingdom. Currently, sons of the kingdom and sons of the Evil One live together in human society.

Tares were very common in Palestine and closely resemble wheat; they are not really distinguishable from wheat until the grain appears at harvest time.

The question of separation ore relative purity in conduct or doctrine among the disciples and the church is answered by Jesus’ directive. This is not to be done by the disciples nor by the church-but will ultimately be done by God’s angels (vv. 39, 41).  Premature separation in the present age is out of the question and becomes more destructive than it is purifying.

Matt. 13: 37, 38  His Field – A Promise of Harvest.                      WORLD EVANGELISM

To the farmer, the field is a promise of harvest.  This area of land prompts his vision of a yielding crop.  On last Friday, June 3, 2011, we shared the parable of the Sower and today the Wheat and the Tares, Jesus interprets that parabolic picture:  The field is the world.” Christ’s own imagery points to the process of world evangelism: Go and sow the field may or may not appear fertile; the field may be ravished by drought (spiritual need) or insect (spiritual opponents), but in either case the field is itself the summons.  Lift up your eyes (Prov.29:18; John 4:35-37). (Is.40:8-11/Matt. 24:1-4)


Reflections: 
What can malicious weed-sowing tell us about the kingdom of God? The image Jesus uses here is a common everyday example of planting, harvesting, and sorting the good fruit from the bad. Weeds can spoil and even kill a good harvest if they are not separated and destroyed at the proper time. 

Uprooting them too early, though, can destroy the good plants in the process. Just as nature teaches us patience, so God's patience also teaches us to guard the word he has planted in our hearts and to beware of the destructive force of sin and evil which can destroy it. God's word brings life, but Satan seeks to destroy the good seed which has been planted in the hearts of those who have heard God's word. God's judgment is not hasty, but it does come. And in the end, God will reward each according to what they have sown and reaped in this life. In that day God will separate the evil from the good. Do we allow God's word to take deep root in our heart?

Let us pray: "Lord, may your word take deep root in our hearts and that we may bear good fruit for your glory. May we hunger for your righteousness now that we may look forward to the Day of Judgment with joy rather than with dismay.

In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of 
Fine & Performing Arts

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