Scripture:
Matthew 13:47-53 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Parable of the Net
47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind [of fish], (A) 48 and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good [fish] into containers, but threw out the worthless ones. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous, (B) 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (C)
The Storehouse of Truth
51 "Have you understood all these things?" [a]
"Yes," they told Him.
52 "Therefore," He said to them, "every student of Scripture [b] instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old." (D) 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He left there.
Footnotes:
Matthew 13:51 Other mss add Jesus asked them
Matthew 13:52 Or every scribe
Cross references:
Matthew 13:47 : Mt 3:2; 13:44; 22:10;
Matthew 13:49 : Mt 13:39-40; 25:32;
Matthew 13:50 : Mt 8:12; 13:42;
Matthew 13:52 : Mt 12:35; 28:19;
Reflection:
What can a story about a fishing net and a big catch tell us about God's kingdom? The two most common ways of fishing in Jesus' time was with a casting-net (or hand-net) which was thrown from the shore and the drag-net or trawl which was let down or cast into the waters from a boat. As the boat moved through the waters the drag-net was drawn into the shape of a great cone which indiscriminately took in all kinds of fish and flotsam and jetsam swept in its path. It usually took several men to haul such a net to shore. What is Jesus' point here? Just as a drag-net catches every kind of fish in the sea, so the church acts as God's instrument for gathering in all who will come. Just as the drag-net does not or cannot discriminate, so the church does not discriminate between the good and the bad, the useless and the useful. God's kingdom is open to all who will accept and believe. But there will come a time of separation, at the close of the age, when the angels will send the good and the bad to their respective destinations. Our duty is to gather in all who will come. God, in the end, will dole out the reward or punishment. God offers the treasure of his kingdom to all who believe. Do you hunger for God and his kingdom?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, increase my hunger for your kingdom and fill my heart with eager longing for you that I may one day gaze upon your face in everlasting bliss.
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