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Daily Devotions

Matthew

Matthew 
Day 
Day 211

More Than One Category

Text: Matthew 13 : 24 - 52

It is possible to place a parable under more than one category. For example, the parable of The Wheat and The Tares may also be classified under “Judgment”. The earlier portion of the parable focuses on the work of the Son of Man sowing good seeds. The ending of the parable however has an important element that cannot be ignored. It featured the Judgment that will take place at the end of time.

WARNING-OF-JUDGMENT CATEGORY (The Parable of the Dragnet)

Jesus knew that not everybody appreciated His teachings! There were those who rejected His teachings because their sins were exposed. Instead of repentance, they chose opposition and rejection instead! To these and others who were still hesitant, Jesus spoke the Parable of the Dragnet.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet
that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,
which, when it was full, they drew to shore;
and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels,
but threw the bad away.
So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth,
separate the wicked among the just, and cast them into
the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 13:47-50

1. Reinforcement of the idea of Judgment

The doctrine of Judgment has been consistently taught. Whether in straight-forward language or in parabolic form, the doctrine of judgment is consistently upheld! This parable serves to reinforce this idea.

2. Angelic involvement

Who will do the work of separating the wicked from the just? Jesus wisely employed His knowledge of God’s will and put that to good use. Who would dare to question the sense of justice that angels had in separating the just from the wicked? In emphasizing the role of angels, Jesus was excluding human judgment. The decision would be a Divine one, and the angels of God would merely be carrying out the instructions given to them.

3. The End of the Age

This was a doctrine that Jesus taught consistently too. Life on earth would not be interminable. There would come a point of time that may called “the end of the age”. That thought may not sound very real or relevant, but that doctrine was nevertheless true and steadfast!

4. The solemn reality of suffering in the hereafter

Jesus knew that many were so caught up in the present life that they did not give much thought about the hereafter. That was a fatal mistake that had to be addressed and corrected!

a) There was everything to look forward to for “the just”

The just would be in the kingdom of heaven! Those who had placed their trust in Jesus would be among “the just” (theologically, “the justified ones”).

b) There was everything to fear for “the wicked”

The wicked had everything to fear! They may think that they can “get away” in this life. Because of their “power” or their “wealth”, they may feel that they have nothing to worry about.

The fact however is that there will be a time of divine reckoning. The wicked may exist on this earth with the just. However, they will be separated for all eternity after God has given out His judgment!

There would indeed “be wailing and gnashing of teeth” among the wicked. Their punishment was compared to being thrown into a furnace of fire.

c) No menace meant

Jesus was not presenting this truth to menace those who opposed and rejected Him. He was merely giving a solemn word of warning that just had to be uttered! His words would fall on deaf ears anyway. Nevertheless, those words of warning must be sounded!

HAD THE DISCIPLES UNDERSTOOD?

Jesus spoke the parables to the multitudes, but He also meant them for His disciples. Did they understand all that He had taught? They must not take for granted all that they were privileged to hear!

“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you understood all these things?’
They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.'”
MATTHEW 13:51

ONE LAST PARABLE ON THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Jesus concluded His kingdom parables with an apt illustration of a householder appreciating his treasures. The Parable of The Householder may be categorized under “appreciation”.

“Then He said to them,
‘Therefore every scribe instructed concerning
the kingdom of heaven is like a householder
who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
MATTHEW 13:52

A householder does more than acquire treasures. He takes time to appreciate all that he acquired. So must every disciple take time to appreciate all that he has learned.