Matthew 13:24-43

The parable of the wheat and tares Matthew 13:24-43 : A man sowed good seed in his field. An enemy sowed tares among the wheat. The servants were not allowed to root up the tares least, by accident they also root up the wheat. At harvest time the reapers would separate the wheat from the tares.

From the malicious sowing of tares we learn that we must patiently work with those that have received the word into their heart. Satan does his work to destroy the good seed that has been sown. Sin is a destructive force and we must be on guard against it. The only way to overcome the work of Satan is to allow God's word to take deep root in our heart.

Jesus explained the parable of the tares by saying, (1) the Son of man sowed good seed, (2) the field is the world, (3) the good seed are the children of the kingdom, (4) the tares are the children of the evil one, (5) the enemy is the Devil, (6) the harvest is at the end of the world, (7) the reapers are the angels, and (8) a furnace of fire awaits the wicked.

The parable of the mustard seeds and leaven, both show that the kingdom would begin small but would grow to become strong and even to fill the earth. The church is to spread like leaven in meal or it is to grown from the smallest seed till it becomes strong. Christians must create an atmosphere of growth. Only then can the transformation of lives take place. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This is a transformation similar to that to the leaven in the meal.

It was a matter of prophecy that Jesus would speak in parables. (Matthew 13:35) Prophecies like Psalms 78:2 prove Jesus to be the Messiah. "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old."