In Jesus' parable of the tares and the wheat the question came up about the right time to pluck up the tares and destroy them. The householder's answer was, "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." Matt. 13:30. We then might logically ask: When is the time of harvest, and how do we know when that time has come?
The time of harvest indicates a ripeness of thought, a maturing of experience, a readiness for reaping. The householder in the Master's parable cautioned his servants against prematurely gathering the tares "lest ... ye root up also the wheat with them." Matt. 13:29. Certainly this applies to our growth in the understanding and practice of Christian Science. There's a timing to our experience that indicates harvest and the burning of the tares.
Christ Jesus was evidently aware of this, for he said in one instance, "Mine hour is not yet come," John 2:4. and then in another instance he said, "The hour is come." John 17:1. Here was an element of preparedness that enabled him to do all things under God's direction and in the right time. In this way he prevented reaction and abortive efforts. He was operating under divine direction that knows the end from the beginning.
