A Fishing Parable

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 Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50 (ESV)

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Devotion:

            The Lord concludes his parables that describe the kingdom with a fishing story. One that many of his disciples would be able to relate to. This type of fishing using dragnets to pull in every type of fish must have been a very popular method of fishing in Jesus’ day. For Jesus to describe the kingdom of heaven in this way makes for a very understandable story.

            The advantages of dragnet fishing are that it is possible to harvest great numbers of fish at one time. Multiplying the potential catch manifold. The drawback is that you catch fish you did not intend on catching, so the catch must be sorted into fish that you can sell and throwing away the fish you cannot sell. The size of the catch makes this extra step a worthwhile investment in time and energy.

            We understand the reason the fishing technique of dragnet fishing is good business for the fishermen. How do we apply it to kingdom work?

            First, we are to catch our nets far and wide to bring in as many fish of different kinds as possible. Jesus said that “the fields are white unto harvest.” Even so the seas are full of fish of different kinds that may be caught in the dragnet of the gospel harvest. Again, in this parable it is the angels who are given the task of separating the good from the bad. How exactly the angels make the call between who makes it into heaven and those who do not make it is not explicitly revealed.

            One thing we can say is that we want to be on the side of the good fish. Since the bad fish are burning forever in fires of hell. Living lives filled with the Holy Spirit and being full of the fruit of the Spirit. (Love, joy peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control) These things displayed in our lives more and more would tend to be emblematic of fish that are good and are growing well. Let us pray that Jesus would see us as part of the “fish” destined for heaven.

Prayer:

            Lord, we have seen these various attempts to describe the kingdom of heaven in parables. Open the eyes of our hearts to penetrate these mysteries. May we live lives that are pleasing and useful to both God and man. Teach us to follow our master wherever he goes and learn from him how to gather a great catch into his nets. Let us rejoice at the harvest of souls for God. Thank you, Lord, for using us to be fishers of men. Amen.

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