Fruit and Tares - Matthew 13:26

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “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”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-six of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples about, “fruit and tares” where we read:

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

The verse reads, “But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, ...” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “when the blade” or “at the time and moment the growing crops, herbage or vegetation” “was sprung up” which means “sprouted, put forth new leaves and germinated”, “and brought forth” or “made, prepared, produced and acquired” “fruit” which means “results, progeny and posterity”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to the time when the plants germinated and produced “fruit”.

The verse goes on to say, “... then appeared the tares also.” Matthew continued with the word, “then” which means “at that time and moment” “appeared” or “shined, came to light and became evident” “the tares also” which means “the darnels or bad seed as well”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “bad seed” came to fruition when the plants grew and produced their herbage.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how it took some time for the good seed and the bad seed to be evident. Only after the plants grew and were bearing fruit did one know which was good and which was bad. God knows those who have trusted in and relied upon His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and because they believed His gospel, they shall be eternally saved. However, in the world are those who are like “darnels” that have an appearance of godliness but are actually far from a relationship with Him. The Bible says, “now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2), and those who are wise shall examine their “fruit” to be certain their “seed” is “good”.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus shares how, “the servants of the householder” asked, “did not you sow good seed”?, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.