Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00 — 3.7MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More
Many years ago, I had the opportunity to work a fishing net with a friend in Alaska. He set the net perpendicular to the shore. When the tide went out, we walked across the sand and picked the fish out of the net. That was very different than the nets used in Jesus’ day. Those were thrown or lowered from a boat then hauled in.
A fishing net is the focus of the parable in Matthew 13:47-50, “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (NIV)
Notice the words at the beginning, “once again.” Jesus tells the parable to repeat a point for emphasis. Here, he repeats the point of the parable of the weeds. Evil and righteous people will exist together until Jesus returns. Then the angels will separate the wicked and they will be judged.
So, don’t get discouraged by the rising crime and hatred in the world. Just remember – God will set things right when Jesus returns.
Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/
Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.