Building On What We Already Know

In Matthew 13, Jesus used a number of parables to teach various aspects of being a Christian.  He finished off the series with two more illustrations.  The teachings are all interrelated with each parable giving a little more detail.  The parable in Matthew 13:47-50 reinforces the parable of the angels separating between the children of God and those of the world. 

“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, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but 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.” 

A net catches everything that is too big to go through the holes, whether a cod, or a barracuda, or an old rubber boot.  When one pulls the net out, he has to separate the good stuff from the worthless, just as the farmer would have to separate the wheat from the tares.  For professional fishermen such as Peter, James, or John, this parable would be even more meaningful than the one about the tares and the wheat.  As Christ explains again, at the judgement, God is going to separate those who have believed in Christ from those who have not.

Revelation 20:11-15 describes that final judgment.  “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.   And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

Who will have his name written in the Book of Life?  Revelation 2:17 describes it.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”   Those who overcome the world will be given a new name, perhaps something similar to a PIN number or password that is written in stone so it cannot be changed and only they will know it.   Without that name one will be unable to escape eternal damnation.  I John 5:4-5 explains what is required to overcome the world and get that new name.  “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”  Faith in Christ enables us to obtain that new name.  John 14:6 tells us there is no other way.  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” 

 Jesus used multiple examples of the same thing because he wanted to be sure they understood what he was teaching.   Matthew 13:51-52 tells us, “Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things?

They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

Understanding what it means to be a child of God is kind of like staying in someone’s home.  The longer you stay, the more you learn about what they have.  You see the same things over and over, but there are constantly new things you hadn’t seen as well.   As a Christian there is always a place to grow and learn.  Those who think they have it all down are like the child in school who doesn’t pay attention because he thinks he already knows it all.  They cease to grow and become stagnant, and spiritually unhealthy.  New things can only be learned as they are related to what one already knows.  It may not be exciting, but it is critical that we review what we already know if we are to fully understand something new.

“And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.” (Matthew 13:53)