MEDITATIONS FROM THE PARABLES OF JESUS
THE NET CAST INTO THE SEA
Read Matthew 13:47-50
In this parable, Jesus compares the
kingdom of heaven to a fishing net which is cast into the sea and catches fish
of every kind. When the net is drawn to shore, the fishermen must sort the
fish, keeping the good but throwing away the bad. The visible Church, or the
kingdom of heaven in this world, is like this. In those churches where God's
Word is proclaimed, there are not only true believers in Jesus Christ, but also
those who have associated themselves outwardly with the visible
As the fishermen must sort out and separate the good fish from the bad, saving the good and throwing away the bad, so also the angels of God will separate the true members of God's kingdom from the false on the last Day. Then those who are only outwardly connected with the Church but do not have saving faith in Jesus Christ will be separated from God's Church and cast into hell! 'There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Those who, for their salvation, rely alone upon Jesus Christ and His innocent sufferings and death on the cross will take part in God's eternal kingdom of glory!
This parable should move all of us to examine ourselves to make sure we are and remain a part of the Holy Christian Church through true faith in the Redeemer. Those who are only outwardly connected to Christ's Church in this world but continue in their sin and unbelief are warned to repent and place their faith in Christ Jesus before it is too late!
Grant, then, O God, where'er men roam, that, when the church bells are ringing, many in saving faith may come where Christ His message is bringing: "I know Mine own, Mine own know Me; Ye, not the world, My face shall see. My peace I leave with you." Amen. (TLH, Hymn #467, Verse 7)
Meditations from the Parables of Jesus Index