I was driving past these corn fields and I began to notice something. In many places you could see tall grass growing around the field. At a distance it looked very similar to the corn stalks. It even mixed in with the corn stalks in places. The closer you looked the more you could tell that it wasn’t. I have driven past the same fields when it was dark out and you can’t differentiate between the grass and the corn. I can tell you something else about corn fields. I can guarantee that there are things in the field that the owner doesn’t want there. There is wildlife and pests of all sorts that enter the field harming the corn and thus the harvest.
Jesus referenced this concept in the parable of the tares in Matthew 13:24-30. Now in the parable Jesus spoke of wheat instead of corn, but the concept is the same. If you view the corn field as the church there are a few takeaways. If you are on the outside looking in you may not see everything clearly. You may see some people that affiliate with a church that don’t necessarily live as they should. This can often cause people to get confused. They may encounter a “tare” that isn’t a true representation of Jesus that can cause them to get offended at the church. Have you ever heard the phrase, “If that’s how Christians are, I don’t want anything to do with them.” These people have likely encountered a “tare.” We wouldn’t or shouldn’t judge an entire family over one or two members of that family. Then we shouldn’t judge an entire church or all of Christianity over a few. If you are walking in the darkness of this world that makes seeing the difference even harder. I can also guarantee you this, that in any church you enter there are things there that the Owner doesn’t want there. Understand though that we are all human and that Jesus is working on each and every one of us.
So why am I discussing this? Because if what you have seen has caused you not to want to seek God, not to go to church, then maybe you have been fooled by something that was false. Maybe you thought you could be fed, but instead you were left empty and disappointed. Maybe you have considered trying again, but the first thing you see or think about was the “tares.” Push past this, just like walking through the grass to access the corn. Go deeper into your pursuit to be fed spiritually and you will be fed.
To those that may have not been a good example. Instead of making excuses and saying I don’t think this is that bad, I think I can still go to heaven if I do this or that. Rather ask yourself, who might not make it to heaven because you did do that? Don’t lose heart though because there is still hope. Because with God all things are possible. You can still be grafted in and become whole.
Matthew 13:24-30 KJV 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 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? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 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.