The Particular Fisherman

Matthew 13:47-51 “Once again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.
 
TO date, we have reviewed John the Baptist’s anointed ministry pointing to Jesus. God’s plan was to announce his presence on earth through John. John baptized Jesus, who then began his Kingdom ministry. Our readings have revealed some of the Kingdom’s characteristics, and we have focused briefly on the King’s character. There is much more that we have not covered. As you read and study the gospels and epistles, you will continually understand the substance of the Kingdom of God. Listen closely to God’s Word and  you will become increasingly aware of what is essential for the Kingdom to display God’s power.
   Now we come to the ultimate purpose of this series of lessons. We will look at Jesus’ ministry as he defined the end times and ultimate Kingdom of God to reign eternally. The study of the end times is called eschatology. Don’t shrink form the word. It is simply a word that defines the study of future teachings.
   Why do you need to know about the future? One reason is that it helps us examine our purpose in the Kingdom right now. Knowing the certainty of our heavenly destination should cause us to be more faithful to the One who calls us there. Eschatology also helps us understand there is salvation and there is judgment at the end of time. Believers are saved to the Eternal Kingdom. Unbelievers perish into eternal torment. All mankind must know this. This truth must empower our daily faith walk. “Who can we help know Jesus?” becomes an urgent question as we know our time is limited.
   Today’s “fish net parable” points to that salvation and judgment. It begins as a picture of bounty. A fisherman spreads his net over the water. He pulls up a net full of fish! Full nets meant great profit. And Jesus adds more reality to the fishing scene as he describes how the fisherman throws away the fish that do not measure up to his particular requirements. He keeps the good. He destroys the bad.
   And then Jesus formed a new fearful scene in verses 49-50. Suddenly the fisherman becomes the Lord of the Harvest. His angels come to throw the wicked into the fiery furnace. Jesus quickly turned his disciples’ minds from an abundant day of fishing to the reality that some will be saved to the Kingdom of Heaven and some will be judged into torment. Salvation is not for those who do not meet the Lord’s requirements. To many of us, this seems obvious. But to the world, it seems ridiculous and is even called hate speech. Many people, especially those who are comfortable in their own lives believe all they must do to reach Heaven is to die. They reject Jesus’ particular promise of salvation, unwilling to receive Jesus’ certain promise of judgment.
   Then Jesus asked the life-centered question, “Have you understood all these things?”  As the disciples replied, “Yes.” they would have also understood their work was to teach Jesus’ particular truths to point people to his certain end-time promises.  
   How about you? Have you understood these things?