God in Sandals: Transformational Encounters With the Word Made FleshSample

The Net

Carefully reflect on Matthew 13:47–50 and reflect on the similarities between it and yesterday's parable. What differences do you see between the two parables? Why did He warn about the end facing those who did not receive the Kingdom? Why are the bad fish allowed to remain with the good ones for a time?

In the first parable, an enemy came and sowed tares during the night. In this parable of the net, however, the variety in the catch of fish was not brought about by sabotage but was the normal result of fishing. The fishermen had no control over the final outcome of their work, as it was impossible to limit their catch to only one kind of fish; they had no evil intent.

But even when we do have good intentions, it is impossible for our efforts to have perfect results. On sharing the Good News with those around us, we will always have “mixed” fruit. Among those who respond with a genuine commitment to God, there will also be those who “profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him” (Titus 1:16).

In this parable, it is also clear that a time has been set for separating the good and bad fish. This work is not the responsibility of the leaders of God’s people. Rather, at the end of the world, angels will separate the righteous from the wicked. Meanwhile, the church is called to live in faithfulness and holiness, even though there will always be a percentage of its members who show only a superficial interest in the things of God.

Until the moment when the angels gather in the “fish,” people enjoy the freedom of choosing their life’s direction. Even though it might seem good to us to separate the fish earlier, the Lord “is patient toward [us], not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

The fishermen did not despair at the mixed results of their work. Those who fish for a living know that this is part of the job. Even the most sophisticated method of fishing will always bring in a mixed catch.

Nevertheless, the “fishermen” should never give up their work of proclaiming the Good News in a world of darkness. Those with more discernment may be able to discover more favorable fishing grounds, but in the end, it is only by the grace of God that we catch any fish at all. This is part of the marvelous adventure of following the Holy Spirit as we work.