This coming Lord’s Day we will take a look at one of the parables from Matthew’s Gospel. You might know this one as ‘The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares.’ It is found in Matthew 13:24-30, and the Lord’s explanation of it in 13:36-43.

We remember that the parables of Jesus are about the Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven. And simply defined, this Kingdom is the reign of God though His Son, our Lord! It is a Kingdom that has come to earth in the Person of our Lord and Savior. In Him, the Kingdom was made present! And yet, it is also a Kingdom that is on the way, and one day will be revealed in its fullness for all to see!

We have also learned that these stories were given by our Savior in order that two things might happen. First, that God’s grace in Christ might be revealed to those who believe in His Son (these are the ones who are strangely drawn to the parables of Jesus). And second, that God’s judgment upon unbelievers might be revealed (these are the ones who are repelled by them). And, as we have seen, in this way the parables of Jesus separate and distinguish, for they demonstrate who belongs to Christ and who does not!

And let us also keep in mind that these blessed stories of our Lord were presented in order to confront His audience with truth, divine truth that will both challenge and comfort all who read them! And this will certainly be the case with ‘The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares’!

As we approach the study of this parable, let me ask you a few questions that will set the stage for Sunday’s message:

Do you ever wish that you could just snap your fingers and get rid of all the evil, and evil people, in the world?

Have you ever imagined what it would be like if all the criminals in the whole world were immediately rounded up and sent away somewhere, forever?

Are you ever alarmed, frustrated, or excessively burdened by so much wickedness at work in our world, or even within your own heart?

Do you ever wish that there was something you could do about all of this evil?

If so, then be sure to pay careful attention to this parable and to the wonderful and reassuring things that our Lord will teach us!