“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. Matthew 13: 47-50, NIV.
Dear God of our salvation, today we wait before Your Throne of grace to receive a Word from You. Please speak to our hearts and enable us to do Your will. This we ask in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today the kingdom of heaven is compared to a net . . . [that] caught all kinds of fish.” Note that the trend of this parable is similar to that of the Parable of the Wheat and Tares. It has a separation and selection process. In these two parables we are dealing with the end of the age, or the end of the world. This is important.
But more important, is the fact that the kingdom, represented by the net, is willing to take in all of the fish. But all of the fish do not belong, by their choice, to the kingdom of heaven. The presence of angels, is another similitude between these two parables. They are the ones chosen by God to do the gathering, selection and separation. This is also important.
There is a song that is sung in the kindergarten department at church, that goes something like this, “Oh be careful little eyes, what you see . . . Oh be careful little mouth what you say . . . Oh be careful little hands what you do . . . Oh be careful little feet where you go – for the Father up above is looking down in tender love, so be careful little . . . “ You get the idea. Not only the “Father up above” is watching, so are the angels, and they are keeping a faithful record of our deeds (Ecclesiastes 5: 6). But first and foremost, they are ministering to those who are trying, by the grace of God, to make it into the kingdom (Hebrews 1: 14). Therefore, the selection process is not based on favoritism, but on what each individual decides to do with his or her life.
The kingdom of heaven is made available to “whosoever will,” but the choice is ours. “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: ‘ “ Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”‘ ‘ “