47 “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 blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 We’ve been looking into the parables of Jesus, uncovering what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. We’ve seen its growth and challenges in parables like "The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven," its value in "The Hidden Treasure" and "The Pearl of Great Price," and its mixed reality in "The Wheat and the Tares." The parables of Jesus are everyday images of farming, fishing, women baking bread, merchants buying pearls. Consider the mustard seed, so tiny it can fall to the ground and lie unnoticed by human beings and birds alike. Given time, though the seed may sprout into a bush that overtakes every other plant in the garden. God’s kingdom works like that. It begins so small that people scorn it and give it no chance of success. His kingdom began with 12 men, a few women, not more than 120 people. 

In this chapter is "The Parable of the Dragnet," a story that gives us chills. It is of the future judgement, it speaks of the day when the righteous and wicked will be separated.

A fishing crew hauled in a massive net, teeming with all kinds of fish. They drag it to shore, sit down, and start sorting: keepers in the bucket, rejects tossed aside. Right now, the kingdom is being formed within mixed surroundings - believers and unbelievers, side by side, but the day is coming when God’s angels will sort it all out and the fate of the wicked finalized.

Jesus doesn’t soften the blow—judgment is real and the wicked face a serious consequence. We do a disservice to the lost when we act like everything is going to be ok. Judgment is coming. Jesus warned about this over and over. There will be separation from God

There is the destiny of the unsaved. Jesus called it "Gehenna"—a fiery, dark place of torment (Matthew 5:22,). This isn’t temporary. Our world’s like that dragnet with good and evil tangled together. Sorting is coming, but it’s not our job to judge—it’s our job to reach. We cast the net of the gospel, trusting God to sort the catch.

I often think about my family, friends and neighbors and am concerned about their souls. I will be speaking at funeral this next week and wonder how many who attend know Jesus as their personal savior. If they don’t, Jesus is clear about the consequences of hell.

Net fishing was the way the disciples were to spread the Gospel. Just share the pure gospel to everyone and let come what may. God oversees the increase His kingdom, and the angels will do the sorting.

To sum up the parables, we can conclude, there will be a kingdom. It is not a great kingdom as worldly people understand kingdoms. It started with Jesus and mostly common fisherman and there was a hidden treasure in the message. There was no splendor and glory yet, just hard work, discipleship, rejection and even cross-bearing with the promise - the kingdom of Heaven will come in splendor. The kingdoms of this world are but common pearls in comparison.

We need to persist in our work of telling the good news of salvation by faith and trust in Christ. Pray for our unsaved friends. Share the good news. Know there are two realities in the afterlife. Heaven and hell. Most people are lost. Share in different ways the good news of Jesus.

Perhaps you are one who is searching. You've seen the treasure, and you need to relinquish within your heart that which keeps you from joy. Will you respond this day to Christ and find this peace you have been wanting? I challenge you to make this your day of commitment to Christ. Take Him as your Lord. He wants to become your savior.