The Parable of the Net
Jesus has been teaching about what the Kingdom of heaven is like. This parable likens heaven to be like a net that was thrown into the sea and it brings up every kind of fish. This parable is also a warning to us all.
Matthew 13:47-50
Jesus tells the disciples, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered fish of every kind: When the net was full, they drew it to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Jesus continued and said; so shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
The wicked shall be cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
What Can This Lesson Teach Us?
Jesus has been teaching about what the Kingdom of heaven is like. This parable likens heaven to be like a net that was thrown into the sea and it brings up every kind of fish. When Jesus chose His disciples He said to them in Matthew 4:19 “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
The good and the bad fishes are caught together in the net. Once the net was full the fishermen went to the shore. There they sat down and gathered the good but threw the bad away.
Just like the other parables with the tares and the wheat the fish are allowed to grow up together in the same place. It would be hard for you and I to judge the good fish from the bad because we don’t really know what the fishermen are looking for. There are some logical signs such as if a fish stinks then chances are it is bad, or if it looks healthy then it would be good.
This parable is a warning. The LORD God will judge everyone in the future. This parable tells us that the LORD God will be judging everyone and will separate the righteous people from the wicked people. The righteous people shall be with Jesus and the wicked shall be cast into the furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
There are many Bible verses that help us to understand this warning. Matthew 16 27 is a wonderful example: “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Romans 2:1-16 tells us that judging others only condemns yourself because you are going to be judged the same way. It is important to repent our wrong doings. We will be judged according to our deeds. Those that do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness will receive hard judgment from the LORD. Verse 16 says; “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
Matthew 25:31- 46 prepares us for this separation where Jesus shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He shall sit upon the throne of His glory; we will be gathered up and separated righteous on the right hand and the wicked on the left. Jesus told His disciple that what he was looking for was if His hungry was fed, the thirsty given drink, strangers taken in; the naked clothed, visits of the sick, and those in prison. Jesus said that whatever you did for the least of His people you did for Jesus.
John 12:48 makes it even more clear when Jesus says those people who reject Him and does not receive His words, and those who judges others in His name the same judgment shall fall upon them in the last day. We need to accept Jesus Christ as our LORD and SAVIOR and receive His words in our hearts.
1Corinthians 4:5 again is Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, which both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 again reminds us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. The only thing we can control in the lives is we either follow Jesus Christ accept His teachings and His Word or we follow after the world and the teachings of the world. Following after Jesus Christ and His teachings and His Word will find us sitting on the right hand of Jesus, following after the world will find us cast into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. What is your choice?
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “The Parable of the Net:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1879,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “The Parable of the Net:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1879,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “The Parable of the Net:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1879, (accessed).
