Open Up the Eyes: A Wake-Up Call from Matthew 13
There are some sermons that comfort us—and others that convict. This week, Jesus speaks a word not of comfort, but of clarity, warning, and grace. In the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24–30), Jesus reveals a sobering reality: not everyone who appears to be in the kingdom truly is. It is a truth that unsettles us, but also one that can save us if we are willing to open our eyes.
The world is full of counterfeits—knock-off handbags, fake designer clothes, imitation brands. My daughter and her friends once picked up a few counterfeit items while we were at Hampton Beach. They looked right; they even served a purpose. But the moment stress was applied, their true quality was exposed. And by then, it was too late.
That’s the image Jesus gives us. His parable is a reality check for our souls. Just as counterfeit goods exist in markets, counterfeit faith can exist in the kingdom. There are tares—imitation wheat—that grow alongside the true crop. And though we may not see the difference immediately, a day of harvest is coming when it will be made painfully clear.
The Illusion of Authenticity
In verse 24, Jesus speaks to “them”—to the crowd, to us. This isn’t just a parable for the religious elite or the obviously sinful. It is a word for every person to examine their own soul. He points us not to a church or religious tradition, but to Himself and His kingdom. The focus is not on institutional decay, but on eternal destiny.
Satan, Jesus tells us, is at work not outside the field, but within it. Verse 25 says the enemy came “while men were sleeping.” Not while they were sinning, but while they were unaware. That is how the enemy works—quietly, subtly, deceptively. Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 4:4, where he warns that Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel.
And so we find two types of people among the counterfeit crop.
First, there are the deceivers of others—false teachers, spiritual manipulators, those who pervert the gospel for fame, fortune, or control. Much like the Church of Latter-Day Saints is trying to rebrand itself as Christian – make no mistake, they are not Christian but a demonic cult. Jesus directly rebukes these in Matthew 23:13–15.
But more dangerously, there are the deceivers of self—those who think they are saved, but are not. In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus makes one of His most chilling statements: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Many will stand before Him thinking their good deeds, church attendance, or morality will be enough. But it is not the mask we wear that saves us—it is the Master we follow.
God’s Patience is His Mercy
In the parable, the servants are surprised to find tares among the wheat. But the Master is not. Jesus knows the hearts of all people. The presence of hypocrisy does not invalidate the gospel—it only affirms the necessity of it.
God is patient. He waits. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that the Lord is “not slow about His promise… but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish.” Yet this patience is not permission. As 1 Peter 1:15–16 reminds us, we are still called to holiness. God’s delay is not a denial of sin—it is His mercy giving us time to repent.
The Harvest is Coming
Eventually, the waiting will end. In verse 30, Jesus speaks of the harvest. There will come a time when the wheat and the tares are separated. What is hidden will be revealed. The Day of the Lord, as described in Revelation 14:15–16, is a day of both justice and finality.
And here is what will not save us on that day:
- A godly appearance
- Church membership or religious association
- A record of good deeds
Matthew 13:42 is unambiguous: the tares will be gathered and thrown into the furnace of fire. There, Jesus says, there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Yes, there is absolutely a real place called hell.
But there is hope. The harvest will not change who we are—it will only reveal it. Jesus alone changes who we are. He alone saves. He alone transforms.
Time to Examine Ourselves
So how do we respond to this? Jesus tells us these things not to terrify us, but to awaken us. If counterfeits exist, that means the real thing is infinitely valuable. Do not be discouraged when the world feels overrun with fakes. Be encouraged that Jesus sees the truth—and still calls us to Himself.
Ask yourself the hard but grace-filled questions:
- Am I truly in the faith? Have I been born again?
- Am I in the Word? Is Scripture shaping my life?
- Am I bearing fruit? Is there evidence of Christ in me?
The grace of God is not just for cleaning up our acts—it is for changing our hearts. Let us not wait for the harvest to discover who we really are. Let us come to Jesus today and let Him make us new.