S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, or Tares, is filled with spiritual significance and truth. But, in spite of the clear explanation of the parable that Jesus gave (Matthew 13:36-43), this par...

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July 01 2013 • 6 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker

There is a difference between the wheat and the tares. It started with Cain and Abel. Cain offered up the works of his own hands to be justified by what he did. Abel offered up the right way with a blood sacrifice for his sin.

They still grow together in the church age. One has only vain religion, and the other has the blood sacrifice of Jesus for true salvation by grace.

One believes he is saved by keeping Gods laws which is the Jews religion, and the other is saved by what Jesus did for us on the cross.

The tares are Christians in name only, but have never trusted Christ for their salvation. They are trusting in themselves to meet the requirements of keeping the law to save them, instead of trusting in the blood sacrifice of Christ to save them.

Unbelievers believe they can save themselves by what they do in keeping the law. They are the tares that grow up with the true believers. They are deceived. First John 1:8 says, If we say we have no sin, we are deceived, and the truth is not in us.

True believers know they can not justify themselves before God by keeping the law and have put their faith in Jesus finished work on the cross to save them by grace. They know their salvation rests on what Jesus did for us, with nothing from us. 

True believers know they are still sinners and can only be justified before God by what Jesus did for us plus nothing else. They do good works because they love God and their neighbor, not to save them, but because they are saved.

Jesus said to let the tares and the wheat grow up together and they will be separated at harvest time.

Those that come before the Lord on judgement day and say, Lord Lord, what about all of my good works? Why I even cast out demons in your name, I taught Sunday school and tithed to the penny, I did not smoke or drink, Surely you can see my good works and accept them.

But Jesus says, depart from me I never knew you. You trusted in your own righteousness instead of my righteousness that I give as a free gift to all those that believe.

January 07 2017 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Florence Jordan Supporter

This parable has meant a lot to me in my personal self examination. I see the sower as Jesus and the seed as his Word. The types of soil are descriptions of the way my soul, heart and mind respond to that Word. I pray for conviction and the courage to know myself "even as I am known". 1 Cor. 13. 

Also, the wheat and the tares are symbolic of the contents of my human nature. The young plants look alike, but only God knows which will develop into wheat. The parts of our nature that we may think we should disown may be the very thing God can use for His Glory. Robert A. Johnson said "The new light of Conscienceness always comes out of the darkness. Christ was born in a stable, not a palace." It is God's task to make plain what is wheat, or tare in my soul. It is my task to be meek, teachable, and in tune with His teaching through the Holy Spirit to discern the difference. This can take time to let the plants grow showing their true nature. Patience is an energetic virture. Don't be so quick to judge yourself, or others. As David prayed, "create in me a clean heart", so should our prayer be. 
Florence Jordan

April 21 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report