Words from the Rock
God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away. That’s how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining, but it won’t do any good.
Matthew 13:47–50 Message
Most people don’t really want to think about the end times. The term sounds pretty ominous and, well, final. But the interesting thing about the end times is that it happens in everyone’s lifetime—everyone’s life will end eventually. It’s inevitable. So make no mistake, you will see the end times—someday.
So maybe you’re wondering what throwing out fish has to do with the end times. In some ways, this story seems similar to the one about the weeds growing in the grain field, where everything is harvested together but the weeds are thrown away. Likewise, in this metaphor, all the fish (representing people) are gathered up together. The net is cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Naturally, the fisherman hopes that all the fish caught in the net will be keepers. A good fisherman doesn’t want to throw anything back. Neither does Jesus.
In fact, Jesus gives everyone the same invitation to believe and follow him. It’s just that some reject that invitation. Again and again some will stubbornly refuse. Although Jesus never stops trying to get people to accept him, there comes a time (the end time) when the net is cast and the final decision is just that—final.
Of course, Jesus is the only one who knows which “fish” are keepers and which ones will get tossed—and there are sure to be a lot of surprises in heaven because, knowing Jesus, he’ll probably give some of those stubborn fish one last chance to change their minds. Still, why would you want to wait until the last minute when you could be enjoying a relationship with Jesus for your entire life?
My Prayer
Dear God,
I reaffirm my faith in you. I don’t want to be like the fish that’s tossed aside. Keep me safe in your net.
Amen.
Final Word
If anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1 Corinthians 8:3 NKJV
Stone for the Journey
I will serve Jesus until the end of time.