Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:24-30
The Parable of the Tares
(Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
Intro.
1. Jesus used parables to teach about kingdom, Matt 13:10-12.
a. Hard hearts prevented many from understanding, Matt 13:13-15
b. Open hearts enabled understanding (Matt 13:9, 16).
2. Matt 13:24-30: Parable of the tares explains that the sons of the kingdom are surrounded by evil in this world, but the Lord will separate the sons of the kingdom from the wicked in the last day.
a. Not left to wonder about its meaning, Matt 13:36-43.
b. Still there is misunderstanding and misuse by some brethren.
3. A parable about the kingdom, Matt 13:24 (24-30).
a. Kingdom of heaven is the church, Matt 16:18-19 (Col 1:13).
b. Christians are unique in this world.
c. Parable presents the problem of evil and victory over it.
I. THE PARABLE EXPLAINED, Matt. 13:36-43.
A. The Field is the World, 13:38.
1. It is “his” field (Christ’s), 13:24 (27).
2. He has ownership of world, 1 Cor 10:26 (Psa 24:1).
B. The Two Sowers.
1. Son of Man (Christ), 13:37.
2. Satan (the enemy), 13:39, 28. (His enemy, 13:25).
3. Trinity of good versus evil in the world:
a. The Father vs. the World, 1 Jno 2:15-16.
b. The Spirit vs. the Flesh, Gal 5:17.
c. The Son vs. Satan, Gen 3:15.
4. Nature of the enemy (Satan):
a. Cunning: Sowed tares among the wheat “while men slept.”
b. Cowardly: Not openly, but under cover of darkness.
C. The Two Products.
1. Wheat (13:29, 30): Sons of the kingdom (disciples) 13:38.
2. Tares (13:25): Sons of Satan, 13:38 (Jno 8:44; Eph 2:3; 5:6).
a. Darnel: “Darnel is a weed grass (probably bearded darnel…that looks very much like wheat until it is mature (emp. jrp) when the seeds reveal a great difference. Darnel seeds aren’t good for much except as chicken feed or to burn to prevent the spread of this weed.” (World Eng Dict)
b. Only with growth can they be clearly distinguished from wheat.
3. cf. The subtlety of Satan: “The bad is sown among the good, and the difference is not always (easily) discernable.” (Lockyer)
-Many of his sons look like real Christians, but aren’t!
4. Tares were carefully weeded out of the field just prior to wheat harvest when the difference was clear (cf. 13:30).
D. Two Questions:
1. Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?...How then does it have tares? 13:27
a. The problem of evil in world: Its origin and continuance.
b. An enemy (not God), introduced evil into world (Gen 3).
c. We must “mainly concerned with victory over evil rather than a full explanation of it.” (Lockyer)
2. Do you want us then to go and gather them up? 13:28
a. Such an attempt is beyond the wisdom/ability of the servants, 13:29.
b. Separation will happen at the time of harvest, 13:30
E. The Harvest, 13:30, 39.
1. The end of the age, cf. Matt. 13:49 (25:31-32).
2. Reapers: Angels (Matt 25:31).
3. Two results:
a. Wheat (sons of kingdom): Gathered to heaven, 13:30, 43.
b. Tares (sons of the wicked one): Punished, 13:30, 40-42.
II. LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE.
A. God did not Introduce Evil into World, Gen 1:26-27; Eccl 7:29
B. Christians Live in a World of Sin, cf. Jno 17:15-16; 1 Cor 5:10.
-Not an excuse to sin.
C. God Expects us to be Different from the World, 1 Pet 2:9-12; Phil 2:15-16; Tit 2:11-12.
D. This Parable does not Forbid Withdrawing from Unrepentant Brethren, cf. 1 Cor 5:10-13 (4-5, 6-7); 2 Ths 3:6, 14-15.
E. Satan is Subtle; Always Trying to Deceive, 2 Cor 11:13-15.
-He will use every source to deceive and destroy!
F. The Lord will Execute Righteous Judgment, 2 Ths 1:4-10; Rom 2:1-2, 6.
G. Sons of the Kingdom Keep Growing and Patiently Waiting on the Lord’s Harvest, Jas 5:7-9; Heb 12:1-2.
H. We Live in the Age of Grace (Tit 2:11). Tares still have time to become wheat! 13:43 (Ears to hear? Then listen up!)
Conclusion
1. The gospel reveals whether we are sons of the kingdom or sons of the wicked one.
2. You are dead in sin, a counterfeit to righteousness, if you are not in the kingdom of Christ.
3. Obey the gospel to be transferred into His kingdom, Matt 28:19; Col 1:13 (Rev 1:5-6).