Our Lord taught tremendous lessons throughout His earthly ministry. Some of His greatest lessons were taught by using parables. A parable has been described by some as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” The word “parable” comes from the Greek parabole, which means, “a similitude, fictitious narrative” (Strong’s). W.E. Vine defines a parable as “a placing beside, to throw down beside, to compare.” So, a parable is a fictitious story that would liken or describe a reality. A parable is a teaching tool that helps to paint a picture in the minds of the ones being taught. Jesus used parables often to teach those who would hear Him. Some have stated that 30% to 33% of our Lord’s teaching was done in parables.
Let’s consider this short but powerful parable found in Matthew 13:47-50. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but they cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
The Kingdom of Heaven
(Church) Is Like this Net!
The kingdom (church) is likened to a net itself as well as to the contents. A net is an instrument or a tool used to catch fish. In the first century, fishing was (and still is) a means to provide both physically and financially. As the kingdom (church or Christians), there is a need for us to cast out into the water (world). Our desire is to catch souls for Jesus. Remember what Jesus said to Peter and Andrew early in their relationship? In Matthew 4:18-19 He said, “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Like how fish are drawn in a net, the Gospel is cast by Christians and men are drawn to Jesus. Jesus said in John 6:44-45, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
This is the whole point of the Great commission, to “Go into all the world [row out into the water] and preach the Gospel to every creature [and cast the net for all kinds of fish]. He that believes and is baptized [those that enter the net] shall be saved [are keepers].” Fishers must cast a “net” to draw fish, and Christians must go to draw men! We are to cast into every body of water to find souls to fill the kingdom. As long as there are fish to be caught, fisherman fish!
The Kingdom of God
(Church) Is Like a Full Net!
When a net is full, it must be brought to shore. Not all the fish in the water were in the net; only those that entered were brought to shore. The full net and coming to shore means that time ran out – no more fishing! Jesus was trying to focus their thoughts (and ours) on the final draw. In Mark 13:32 Jesus said about His final return, “But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”
We see a separation of the good from the bad, distinguishing between the acceptable and the undesirable. Having the gift of the completed Bible, we can see a likeness that they could not. In John 5:28-29 and Matthew 25:46, we find the Lord saying, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation…” Some “shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Not all fish are keepers, and sadly, neither will all people be keepers! Some will be diseased or polluted (spotted, corrupt, James 1:27). Some will be too small (kept back from growing, 1 Corinthians 3:1-2; 2 Peter 3:18). Some will be unlawful (not willing to obey the law, Romans 10:2-3; 2 Corinthians 4:4). When the net is hauled in for the last time, some fish will think they are a great catch, but they will be cast away (Matthew 7:21ff). Jesus was painting for them the great scene of His coming with all of His holy angels. He touched on this in Matthew 25:31ff, but the clearest picture is in found in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 where we see the incredible scene of Jesus and His holy angels coming in flames of fire, taking vengeance upon those who do not believe in God and those who refused to obey and remain obedient to the Gospel – God’s power to save (Romans 1:16).
The end of the world will be the end of the world! The end shall come at a time unexpected where all that is will be totally burned up and dissolved by fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10).
The Horrible Reality
that Is Preventable
There is a song by Palmer E. Whealer titled, “Tomorrow May Be Too Late.” This beloved hymn is a plea for those who have not obeyed the Gospel to do so before it’s everlastingly too late. The song begins with these words:
Today is the day of salvation, Tomorrow may be too late.
There’s danger and death in delaying, Accept God’s saving grace:
His life on the cross He has given, Oh come while yet you may,
He’s earnestly pleading, oh make no delay, Tomorrow may be too late.
The thought of “Weeping and Gnashing of teeth” gives me a picture of such horrific pain and suffering, which I pray might be before my mind in times of temptation to sin or if I should ever think to leave my Lord.
[This article was written and influenced by a lesson by brother Wesley Simons on “Parables of Jesus,” a course by WVBS.]
