Wheat And Tares Series

Introduction:

In "The Parable of the Sower," we learn that people respond differently to the Word of the Kingdom. Some reject it completely, while others are hindered by life's challenges, leaving only those with good hearts to bear fruit. This concept is echoed in "The Parable of the Wheat and Tares," where Jesus teaches the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasizing that His teachings reveal the rule of God through His Son. Notably, this parable includes Jesus' own explanation, provided in response to His disciples' questions concerning this parable.

I. Jesus Explains the Parable

In response to His disciples, Jesus unveils the deeper meanings of the parable.

A. The Sower

1. "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man," referring to Christ in His loving ministry, spreading the gospel of the kingdom - cf. Mt 4:23.

2. He is the prophesied figure in Daniel's vision, receiving a heavenly kingdom - Dan 7:13-14.

3. After His ascension, He claims the authority bestowed upon Him - Re 2:26-27; 3:21.

B. The Field

1. "The field is the world."

a. Into this vast expanse, the Son of Man brings His precious message.

2. Over this field, He reigns with divine authority as King - cf. Mt 28:18.

C. The Good Seed (Wheat)

1. "The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom."

2. These individuals joyfully acknowledge Jesus as Lord, embracing His teachings - cf. Mt 28:19-20.

3. In "The Parable of the Sower," the disciples are the "good soil"; here, they are the "good seed," blossoming into children of the kingdom as they receive the Word of God.

D. The Tares

1. "The tares are the sons of the wicked one," those who cause offense and lawlessness - cf. Mt 13:41.

a. These feel they do not have to be accountable to anyone.

2. Though within the Lord's reign, they refuse His loving authority, revealing their true nature.

E. The Enemy

1. "The enemy who sowed them is the devil," who first tempted Christ - cf. Mt 4:1-11.

a. Now, he seeks to undermine Christ's mission, impeding the salvation and expansion of His divine kingdom.

F. The Harvest

1. "The harvest is the end of the age," a time when the gospel is proclaimed, inviting all to become "sons of the kingdom."

2. This age culminates in a magnificent harvest, marked by the return of our Lord - cf. Mt 26:31-32.

G. The Reapers

1. "The reapers are the angels," who will accompany Christ's return - 2Th 1:7-9.

2. They will lovingly separate the wicked from the just - cf. Mt 13:49.

II. Key Teachings from the Parable

Jesus emphasizes the core messages of the parable, revealing the ultimate fate of both the wicked and the righteous.

1. Verse 40: Addressing the Problem of the Tares

• The issue of the "tares" will not be completely resolved until the time of the harvest.

• This delay is for the sake of the "good seed," ensuring their protection (cf. Matthew 13:29).

2. Verse 41: Resolution at the End of the Age

• At the end of the age, the Son of Man will resolve the problem with His angels.

• They will gather from His kingdom all that causes sin and those who act lawlessly, identified as the sons of the wicked one.

3. Verse 42: Consequences for the Wicked

• Those removed from the kingdom will face their fate in "the furnace of fire," experiencing "wailing and gnashing of teeth."

4. Verse 43: Reward for the Righteous

• The "righteous," representing the good seed and the sons of the kingdom, will experience their blessedness.

• After the harvest, they will "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

III. Truths Gleaned from the Parable

1. Christ's Long-Suffering and Growth (Matthew 13:29, 2 Peter 3:9)

• Christ's patience with the wicked is meant to allow the "sons of the kingdom" time to grow, akin to the concern for the "wheat" in the parable (Matthew 13:29).

• The Lord's long-suffering offers a chance for repentance, emphasizing Christ's deep desire for all to turn back to Him, as illustrated by Peter (2 Peter 3:9).

2. Church Discipline and the Parable (Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)

• The parable does not eliminate the necessity for church discipline, which Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:15-17.

• Paul also reinforces the importance of maintaining discipline within the church (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).

3. The Kingdom's Present and Future (Matthew 13:41, 43, 1 Corinthians 15:23-26)

• The kingdom is both a present reality and a future promise, with the Son of Man gathering from it before the end (Matthew 13:41).

• After the harvest, the righteous will shine in their Father's kingdom (Matthew 13:43).

• Paul describes Christ’s current reign and the eventual handover of the kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:23-26).