Parable of the Net

Jesus began the seventh and final parable in Matthew 13 by saying, "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 blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" Matthew 13:47-50.

Jesus began by saying "Once again" because this was the sixth time he had said, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like." All the parables in Matthew's thirteenth chapter are about the Kingdom. This parable, the Parable of the Net, teaches the same general lesson as the Parable of the Weeds (see Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43). There will be a final separation of the righteous and the wicked. Both of the parables make this point very clear. In the Parable of the Net, Jesus compares the heralding of the Gospel to the casting of the net. The disciples and Jesus' listeners were familiar with using a net to catch fish. A net was used by one of two methods. Either it was cast from the shore (or by somebody standing in shallow water) or it was let down from a boat. In either case the net would be drawn ashore or into the boat. At that point, the fisherman would sort the fish. The ones that were the right size and variety would be kept and the small ones or otherwise undesirable fish would be thrown back. In the Parable of the Weeds the question to ponder is whether we are good seed or bad; wheat or weeds. This Parable causes us to consider whether we are "good" or "bad" fish. When the Gospel is preached, many people respond to the message. The Church is like a big net that is drawn ashore or into a boat that is filled with all kinds of fish. God, who is the Judge, will ultimately determine to which category we belong.

Jesus asked his disciples, "Have you understood all these things?" Matt 13:51. "Yes," the disciples replied. Jesus asked them this question because after the Parable of the Weeds, they had to come to him for an explanation. Apparently, they got the point of this illustration. Then Jesus told them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old" Matt 13:52. The reasons Jesus said this was that now his disciples had this new information to add along with what they had already learned and known about from the Word of God. Christians today teach from the Old Testament (the first 39 books of the Bible) as well as the New Testament (the last 27 books).

All of us start out as "bad" fish. The Bible states that we are all "sinners" (see Romans 3:10 & 23). We can be changed or saved through repenting of sin and by responding in faith to the Savior. What kind of "catch" are you?

Parable of the Sower

Jesus went out of the house a sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”--Matthew 13:1-9.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” --Matthew 13:18-23.

The thirteenth chapter of Matthew's Gospel contains seven parables of Jesus. They are about a sower, weeds, mustard seed and yeast, hidden treasure and the pearl, and the net. The phrase "the Kingdom of Heaven is like" introduces six of the parables. Studying this chapter and these seven parables will give us a better understanding about God's Kingdom.

The first parable which deals with a farmer who sowed his seed is the longest and is perhaps the most familiar. In this story Jesus was instructing his disciples by using an illustration from the agrarian society that they were part of. First of all, Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that like the farmer they ought to be out in the field, which is the "world," sowing the seed which is the "Gospel." Just as a farmer cannot produce seed or cause it to germinate, both he and a disciple can and should plant the seed. Christians should definitely be sowing more seed than most of us do. You could do this through a spoken witness, printed literature, etc. Secondly, Jesus described the four different soils on which the seed fell. Those soils actually represent various heart conditions of people who hear the Gospel. An analysis of these "soils" indicates that only one of the four is "good" soil. Therefore, the Lord's disciples should be realistic about the results and not be discouraged by rejection or a lack of response. Thirdly, just as all soils are not the same, neither are the results from the plants that produce a yield. While the outcome may be different -- 30, 60, or 100 times -- from what was sown, the point is that reproduction and multiplication should occur. Translation: All Christians may not be effective evangelists as Billy Graham but we should reproduce other believers.

Putting First Things First

One of our most difficult problems is deciding the priorities of life and implementing them daily. Putting first things first is a serious commitment for us all. Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). In this verse, we notice things to be sought and things to be added.

First is the command to see two things: The Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The Kingdom of God is usually thought of as a future event. The Bible does speak about Christ's return and His rule and reign here on earth. However, the Kingdom exists now as a present reality with Christ ruling and reigning over the hearts and lives of all who have received Him as Savior and Lord. We are to seek being part of God's Kingdom as well as enlisting others.

We are to seek God's righteousness. The original word used here for righteousness means the sum total of God's requirements. God is holy and righteous. "All our righteous acts," whatever we may possess and produce, Scripture records, "are like filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6). If we are to become righteous, then we must seek to attain God's righteousness. (See Romans 3:23).

Following the command is a promise that "all these things shall be added unto you." In order to understand what these other things are, we must pay attention to the preceding paragraph, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25). In addition to these necessities, treasures on earth (luxuries) are spoken of. Much time and effort is expended by all of us seeking these two things. In these economic hard times, or indeed, anytime, we cannot afford to disregard this passage from the Word of God. Jesus has promised us that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, the Father will add (in His time and at His discretion) all of these things (necessities and luxuries) to us.

Let's be frank and honest with ourselves and each other. Are we doing this - seeking and pursuing the Kingdom first? Is this the top priority for us as professing Christians? What proof would you offer? If there is little evidence or none - why? This is clearly a command that Jesus has given for all of us. How productive are we? How could we be more productive? How effective are we in advancing God's Kingdom (Christ's rule over our lives and others)? How could we be more effective? Our productivity and effectiveness can be enhanced if we are part of a ministry team. You can have more impact serving with others than going it alone.

If we could just grasp this truth and allow it to reorder our lives!! The Lord will provide for those who put first things first.