Matthew 13:24-43
Q.1. What are tares? Why did an enemy sow tares in amongst the wheat? How did the landowner respond to the worker’s suggestion to remove the tares? What was the reason? – (Mt.13:24-30)
Tares are a weed which resembles the first sprout of wheat. Jesus implied that it is hard to tell wheat from tares at first. He was also keenly aware that there will always be an enemy who would try to reduce the harvest of souls (Mt.13:25 & 28 c.f. Mt.13:39). It was natural for the servants to suggest that they weed out the tares, although this would be a huge task (Mt.13:28). However, the Master had other plans – 29 he said, `No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Mt.13:29-30). The Master’s strategy was: (i) Allow both to grow together until harvest time, when the difference would be obvious. (ii) This would prevent uprooting the wheat when trying to remove the weeds. (iii) At harvest time, the grown plants would be clearly identifiable (iv) At harvest the weeds were to be separated and burned, and the wheat gathered into the barn. (v) The Son is the only One Who is able to make the proper judgment.
Q.2. How did Jesus explain the parable of the Tares to His disciples? What is represented by the different aspects of the story? How did Jesus apply the parable to the Kingdom? – (Mt.13:36-43)
Parables are often misinterpreted. Once again, Jesus explained the meaning behind this life-story to His disciples. Jesus, The Son of Man, sows the good seed (Mt.13:37). There is a close connection between the Living Word of God and the written Word of God. He further explained – 38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels (Mt.13:38-39). The insight that Jesus gave, is that it serves the purposes of God to allow the children of the Kingdom and the children of the evil one to co-exist, and to not separate them until the end – The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness (Mt.13:41). Unconverted people claiming to belong to God, can be stumbling blocks who draw true believers into their lawless ways. However, God has planned the outcome for both unbelievers and believers. Jesus declared that – the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Mt.13:43). Though no one can maintain the purity of the church on earth, God sovereignly uses trials and opposition to strengthen the faith of His children and achieve His overarching purpose.
Q.3. What principle of the Kingdom of Heaven did Jesus address in the parable of the Mustard Seed? How can this be an encouragement to us? – (Mt.13:31-32)
In this parable, Jesus highlighted the miraculous growth of the Kingdom of Heaven. From one of the smallest seeds, the mustard seed grows into a tree that provides shelter for the birds of the air (Mt.13:31-32). God’s Kingdom continues to grow exponentially, in spite of all the difficulties and opposition.
Q.4. What aspect of the Kingdom of Heaven did Jesus refer to in the parable of the Leaven? How did Jesus teach the crowds? What was the potential blessing for His hearers? – (Mt.13:33-35)
In the story of the leaven or yeast, Jesus revealed another principle in the hidden spread of the Kingdom of Heaven. It grows secretly and unseen as it changes lives. No mortal man, nor Satan can stop it (c.f. Mt.16:18). Whenever Jesus taught the crowds, He included parables that were captivating and memorable (Mt.13:34). Matthew quoted a Psalm to support the reason why Jesus spoke in parables – This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” (Mt.13:35 c.f. Ps.78:2). Matthew recognised that Jesus revealed things hidden from the foundation of the world. The Psalm is from the sons of Asaph, from the tribe of Levi, who prophesied with music (c.f. 1 Chron.25:1-2).