The Parables of Jesus Pt. 4 The Wheat & Tares Explained

Good afternoon everyone.

I trust that you are doing well and that this Bible Study blog is a blessing to all of you.

Today, we will conclude the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. We introduced this parable in the last post and I think that the Lord's explanation potentially impacts all people in a variety of ways.

First, let us read the text of Christ explaining the parable to His disciples.

Matthew 13: 36-43 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. 
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 
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; 
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Christ is the person sowing the good seed...

First, Jesus Christ tells us that He is the person sowing the good seed. Then, Jesus tells us that the good seed is the children of the kingdom. He tells us that those who are born again are represented by the good seed being sown. 

The field is the world at large.....

Second, Jesus tells us that the field where the seed is sown is not a literal field. Rather, it represents the world where we live. 

The devil is the one who sows the tares.....

Third, Christ tells us that the devil is the wicked being who sowed the tares in with the wheat. The tares represent children of the wicked one, or those who are not born again. 

The reapers are the angels commanded by Christ.......

Fourth, Jesus tells us that those reaping the harvest are the angels that He sends out to gather the harvest. It is clear that we are speaking about a harvest of souls and not a literal harvest of wheat.

Tares (Sinners) will stand condemned before Holy God and be judged...

The sinners are going to be gathered and burned for eternity in that horrible place known as Hell. Because they chose to reject the gospel and refuse to bow the knee to Christ, they will stand before Holy God condemned in their sins. The only possible outcome of the  judgment is eternal punishment. 

Wheat (born again believers) stand clothed in Christ's righteousness......

The born again people (or saints as they are often named in the New Testament) will appear before the Father being clothed in the righteousness of Christ because they accepted God's provision of salvation in Christ. This is what Christ means when He said the "righteous shall shine forth as the sun." No one will be bragging because it is all of God, all of grace and all accomplished for us by our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The true church of Jesus Christ is composed of born again believers from all around this world......

Let's think a moment about the church of Jesus Christ. The world wide church is composed of all people alive this day who are born again, regenerated by the Spirit of God. This is the universal church of Christ that is not determined by joining a denomination. Rather, it is joined through the new birth. 

We attend a local Baptist church near us, but there are born again believers found in almost all denominations of Christian churches. 

It is equally true that the church mirrors the world in this way. Every local church around the world has wheat and tares in the same congregation. 

You have probably tried to witness to someone and heard them reply that all churches are "full of hypocrites." This is generally a true statement but it is still not an excuse for any person to shun going to church or avoid hearing God's truth. 

Tares look like wheat but turn ugly black at the time of harvest....

This means that virtually any church you or I may attend, is going to have some wheat and some tares. Remember, the wheat and tares look exactly alike until they ripen for harvest. 

Tares may look like wheat but their fruit is poisonous......

At that at harvest time the true identity of the tares is exposed for all to see. Remember that tares are poisonous and those people who are the tares will spread poison of some type. 

What does this mean for a local church? Well, it means you will find that each local church has some people (hopefully many) who are truly born again and who desire to love God and love their neighbor as the law commands. They will serve in leadership positions, in music ministry, in outreach efforts and in quietly shaping the lives of their children and living out the Christian faith.

But it also means that you will have some who are tares.  They sound like a Christian. They look like a Christian. They may even be solid in their doctrine. However, they may also have their own agenda to pursue and promote. 

Paul describes these people as wolves in sheeps clothing. Peter tells us that they enter into churches with subtilty and spread deceit. 

Acts 20:28-31 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 

Tares in the midst of a church cause problems.....

You know you have some tares in your midst when you discover  that their are small groups knit together around someone's agenda. You know you have tares in your midst when you experience pushback from the clear teaching of the Bible. 

You know you have tares in the midst when you see people profess to be saved but they live like the world does. You know you have tares in the midst when ministry needs are not responded to. You know you have tares in the midst when murmuring and complaining begins to spread.

We are called to endure and remain faithful to our Lord and His word...

I simply want to point out these obvious truths about wheat and tares existing in within each local church, all around the world. The parable Jesus spoke teaches us to expect this condition and not to become discouraged from doing what we know God wants is to do. 

Points to Ponder.......

• Do not be discouraged when you encounter tares within your church family. It is to be expected.

• Never give up praying for those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus Christ. 

• Be faithful to the word of God and live it out to the best of your ability, leaning on the Lord for strength. 

• Consistently share God's truth with all your church family, even those who may be one of the tares, because it is the word of God that can breakthrough and change their hearts.

• Jesus said by their fruits you shall know them. Tares will have fruit that honors self instead of God. Born again Christians will have fruit that honors God.

This parable of Jesus is very sobering and reflects the reality of New Testament Christianity. We must remain faithful to witness for the truth. We must remain prayerful. We must remain serving. We must remain worshipping. We must remain loving toward our dear Lord and Savior and looking for His return. 

Last, if you have questions for me or simply have something you would like me to pray about, please use the form in the blog and contact me via email. I promise to respond to each one.

Bob