Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the net) Part 1.
Christ continues his comparisons of the kingdom of heaven. He gives his disciples many examples that they may understand the truth of the kingdom. For they will be the messengers. They will be the teachers. They will be the miracle workers, the healers, the ones who cast out demons. So, he continues to give them truths of the kingdom of heaven. He tells them stories. He tells them parables. He tells them of things that are hidden since the foundation of the world. Some will understand. Some will comprehend. Some will be lost. Let he who has ears, hear.
Christ continues his comparisons of the kingdom of heaven. He gives his disciples many examples that they may understand the truth of the kingdom. For they will be the messengers. They will be the teachers. They will be the miracle workers, the healers, the ones who cast out demons. So, he continues to give them truths of the kingdom of heaven. He tells them stories. He tells them parables. He tells them of things that are hidden since the foundation of the world. Some will understand. Some will comprehend. Some will be lost. Let he who has ears, hear.
Christ tells them of another parable. This time he talks of fishing, something that the disciples understand since they were already fishermen. They came from a background of fishing, because this is how they made their living before he called them. They cast their nets into the sea and caught fish. Sometimes they caught great fish. Sometimes they caught small fish. Sometimes they caught fish that they did not want. But their lives revolved around fishing.
Christ says to them, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea that gathered in fish of every kind. When it was filled, they hauled it out, and sitting on the beach, they gathered the good fish into vessels, but threw away the bad."
All are gathered for the harvest, Christ tells his disciples. All are taken in by the net, he wants them to know. And the separation begins, where the just are separated from the unjust, the good from the evil, those who practice justice from those who practice iniquity. The net will bring all to judgement. The weeds will be gathered with the good seeds and the bundles will be set. For the furnace of fire awaits the weeds and the barns of heaven await the good seed that produced fruit. Where do you stand? The net will gather all. Be aware! Live not for today! Live not in this world! For the net will bring all to judgement.
