Mysteries humble man and exalt our great God. The parables, and this one in particular, answer questions about the nature of the membership of Christ's church. Their study comes highly recommended for understanding the kingdom of God and its inhabitants. The disciples asked for a clear interpretation of this parable, showing that diligence and effort is required to understand it. As long as the church remains, there will always be tares. "The purest preaching will not prevent this, JC Ryle tells us. The wheat and tares look identical, and will only be manifest at the harvest. These tares are attributed, not only to Satan's sowing, but to the slothfulness of man. We must ask God to make us more watchful and aware, and diligently pray, not only because of the influence of the tares on the church, but for ourselves and their presence in our lives. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:27, tells us that he keeps under his body and brings it into subjection...lest he be a castaway (reprobate). Understanding the gravity and necessity of self-examination, he was careful to have "a conscience void of offense toward God and man." These tares in the church masquerade as wheat, and no marvel, as we are told in 2 Corinthians 11. Do we bear fruit to the glory of God? Judas performed the same works the apostles did, and he was false. The Lord tells us we are to faithfully teach and preach the Word, and leave the tares to God. |