The Parable of the Net

Matthew 13:47-50

47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

While this parable feels much like the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) there are enough differences to prevent us saying it is simply a repeat. The ”Again” in vs 47 links this parable to the previous two (notice the “Again” in vs. 45 – thus the three parables are linked). The question in the hidden treasure and the pearl is: What are we willing to give up for the sake of the kingdom of heaven? The implication being that those prepared to give themselves completely to the kingdom would find themselves in the basket (the good fish) and those unwilling to do that would find themselves in the furnace (the bad fish).

The parable highlights just how serious are the decisions human beings are invited to make about what they will do with the kingdom of heaven. The fish cannot escape the net, they will be caught, and they will be evaluated. The same with human beings, the truth is that we will be judged. Having said that there are two things to be noticed.

First, the seriousness of this decision begins with our own self-examination. We are the fishers catching the fish and judging them. No, God is the fisher, and the angels will do the sorting, we are the fish. The invitation is not to take over the work of the fisher or the sorters – those are God’s and angels’ jobs, not ours. We are being called to serious reflection on our discipleship. Here at the end of the seven parables of the kingdom we are invited to self-examination.

Second, there is hope here, for God and the angels will care for the righteous, will ensure that they get into the basket. Living in the world with the good and the bad, the righteous and the evil, it is very easy to become discouraged, to feel that keeping on following is not worth it, seems to make no difference. This parable would invite us to live in hope. That in the long view, God will vindicate those who make the costly choice of following him. That even while at times it feels like choosing to follow Jesus is too costly, in the end, it is worth it.

PRAYER:

God of mercy, we wish to examine our lives in the light of your call to us to follow you with our entire being. Guide us so that our hearts, our minds, our spirits, and our bodies would align with your will and desires for us and for the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.