GATHER YE TOGETHER FIRST THE TARES

 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 13:24-30 KJV

Matthew 13:36-43, "Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;  The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Ever wondered why the Lord said 'gather ye together first the tares' in the parable?

Some knowledge of Bible times and customs come in handy here. According to such studies the tares (weeds) is of a form known as darnel which resembles wheat in all of its early stages so as to make it difficult to distinguish from the genuine plant.

However as it reaches maturity the grain produced is black and so is distinguished from the true grain of wheat.

It is also said to be lighter than the regular grain so that as the fruit in both mature the heavier wheat will bend while the lighter weed stand out proudly above the wheat making it easier to identify and remove.

With this knowledge the parable takes on more significance! It is generally difficult to identify counterfeit Christianity until the fruit is produced…you know…by their fruits you shall know them?!... Just as the darnel with its color and weight results in its identification so the false Christian's true colors and personality are exhibited as they go on display!

I see here a picture of fruitful saints of God bowed in humility and submission quietly producing for the Lord, while the proud and loud counterfeit stands out in an obnoxious display of self!

The darnel is also said to be poisonous resulting in dizziness, convulsions vomiting and even death.

How often have we not been fooled by a person’s flair and flamboyance as they subtly present a 'gospel' that ultimately glorifies not the CHRIST but the person?

How many of supposedly genuine 'God's servants' ultimately reveal themselves by their fruit.

I cannot help but speculate about what would have been the opinion of the apostle Paul if he was alive on earth today! I doubt he would have subscribed to being a superstar because he would have been too busy proclaiming Jesus rather than himself! I really cannot see the apostle Paul or any other of the apostles for that matter selling tickets for you to go and hear them speak! It is hard for me to visualize these faith giants of old living it up in lifestyles of the rich and the famous, on monies begged, cajoled and manipulated out of poor little old ladies and others who are struggling to survive… all in the name of Jesus.

Yeah these 'darnel' stand out tall and proud who, in order to fuel their jets and warm their swimming pools, think nothing of threatening the humble saints of God with curses and doom unless the saints empty their pockets.

Beloved the Lord has made it very easy for us to detect the false…May He also help us to remain humble in His presence and quietly produce fruit to His honor and glory…!

1. Jesus said the world, not the church, is the field. God is sowing the good seed. He is placing the children of the kingdom into this world. At the same time the devil is planting his counterfeits. These may look like the children of the kingdom in all respects but by their fruit you shall know them. They all looked alike in the young stage but as the fruit appeared there was recognition of the tares. (a darnel which looks like wheat except that it produces black grain)

As harvest approaches a singular distinction is made. The wheat which are now ripe are bowed with the heavy grain. The darnel (tare) remains proudly erect with its light fruit. It is now easy to go through the fields and pluck the tare which lifts it head up proudly above the lowly bowed wheat.

2. The Lord said to gather the tares first and placed them to be burned. This is to take place at the harvest. There is a reason for the waiting. It is not because the Lord wants the tares to flourish. It is because the act of pulling up weeds may result in much wheat being pulled as well. This is not what the Lord desires so the wheat is allowed to grow with the tares because the Lord knows the nature of the tares and what will happen at the harvest time.

3. At harvest the grain is ripe in the wheat. The tares are also in full fruit. However here is where the difference makes itself literally stand out. The wheat is ripe and heavy on the stalk. As a result the weight causes the stalk to bend. The tares on the other hand produce fruit which is so light that they remain standing straight up with the black fruit plainly identifying the tares. Harvesting them out from the wheat is very simple then without risk of harming the precious grain.

The wheat with its full heavy grain bowing low is representative of the child of God so full of fruit and humbly bowing in the presence of God.  The tare with its weightless black fruit raised up represents the imitation proudly on exhibit for all to see looking like the real thing but having no value. Instead of humility it proudly sticks its neck up!

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. James 5:1-9 KJV

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:3-12 KJV