Minding A Mixed Crop

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Song: Have You Counted The Cost?

Wheat and tares grow together in the same field, share the same soil, drink the same rain, and are warmed by the same sun. They worship in the same church, share the same pew, even live in the same house. But wheat and tares are not the same.

Wheat and tares look alike. They stand the same height, appear in the same garb, sway in the same wind. The disciple had to ask Jesus at supper which one was a Judas. Wheat and tares look the same to one another. But they’re not really.

So closely do wheat and tares grow to one another that their roots intertwine. They’re benefitted by the same fair climate and injured by the same drought. They sustain like triumphs and trials and often weep together the same tears of joy or sorrow. But wheat and tares are not the same.

Wheat and tares are kept for the same harvest and fall to the same sickle. They’re gathered by the same reapers though not to the same place. Tares are put to the flame. Wheat is gathered to the barn. Because wheat and tares are not really the same.

Take stock of yourself today. The fruit of what you sow this day may not be apparent to others and you may blend in among the rows of standing grain. But the harvest comes when the produce of today’s toil will be judged as good fruit or bad. Remember that while wheat and tares may be close, and even kin, they’re still not the same.

Jason Moore