69. The fisherman’s
net- Matt. 13:47-52
-Similar to the parable of the wheat and the tares (weeds),
Jesus speaks to the fact that there will be gathered fish (people, souls) of
every kind by the dragnet (gathering device) of God in comparing what the
Kingdom of Heaven is like. It will be the Lord who separates out the good from
the bad. The angels (messengers) will take out the wicked from among the
righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth (extreme torment) (Matthew 13:49-50). Jesus, as a good
teacher does, asks the question, “Have you understood all these things?”
referring back to all the parables He just spoke. The people said, “Yes,” as
they had their chance to ask questions and dig deeper (Matthew 13:51).
*Application* Understanding is essential in the economy of the Kingdom of God.
It is nice that the Lord wants us to have this wisdom and cares enough to
reveal it to us if we simply seek and look for it and meditate on His truths
with application. Think about how the Lord actually wants you to get it. He
longs for us wanting and desiring intimate relationship and fellowship. He
wants us to enjoy the riches of His Kingdom for eternity and has no pleasure in
the demise of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11). This is why, as a good Father,
He warns us plainly using speech we can understand and process.
-At the end of His lesson, Jesus makes a comment about every
scribe who becomes a disciple of the Kingdom of Heaven being like a head of a
household who brings out of his treasure things new and old (Matthew 13:52).
This intriguing statement connects the Old Covenant (or Testament) with the New
Covenant (or Testament). He is saying here that He was what the Law and the
Prophets in the Old Testament were all about in pointing to Him, the Messiah.
*Application* Both the Old and New Testaments give vital truth for
understanding and practical guidelines for faith and practice in this world.
Don’t ever neglect the vast riches that are in the Old Testament. Be diligent
to learn God’s whole counsel and do not let it depart from you.
-The religious people in Jesus’ time had the tendency to get
trapped in the old and refused to accept the new thing God was revealing in His
Son. They were looking for a future kingdom preceded by judgment in the
physical and temporal realm via military conquest. They were blind to the spiritual
significance of the new way that Christ brought through a Kingdom that was now
with a future judgment after everyone had been given every opportunity to turn
back to God and repent (change their mind). *Application* Life is being worked
in us even through these earthen vessels that we live in now (2 Corinthians
4:6-14). Realize what is going on. Live in Christ with His power. The Kingdom
continues to grow in you, the believer.
Verse to Memorize-
Matthew 13:51
70. Daughter of Jairus
healed- Matt. 9:18-19; 9:23-26, Mark 5:22-24; 35-43, Luke 8:41-42; 49-56
-Here is another example of Jesus’ healing power going forth
through the faith of the parents and His disciples. This is why only these
people were allowed into the room where the girl was raised. There were mockers
and unbelievers about who knew the physical reality, and could not accept the
fact that a miracle could take place. It was foolishness, in their finite minds,
to think that this girl was going to live again and be alright. There was
desperation from Jairus that we see in the text and ultimately trust over fear.
This is the point of this message during an amazing event. All were astounded
at the results (Mark 5:42). Even though Jesus told them not to spread this
incident, the news got out all through the land (Matthew 9:26). *Application*
Do we come before God desperately and in faith when the unexpected and even
tragic takes place? God understands our plight and has compassion to heal us
and often the situation just like in this account. Cry out to Jesus! Faith and
humility is required as a spiritual law.
Verse to Memorize-
Mark 5:36
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