Not My Problem


Matthew 13:47-52
47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.
49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
50and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus ends this batch of parable teachings with a final word of encouragement regarding the end of all things. He likens the end to a fishing trip where the net is thrown out into the water and brings in a large catch of fish. Some are fit for the Kingdom of God and some are not. The angels will come and sort it all out, following God’s judgment on each person. It’s not up to us. Just as with the wheat and the weeds, both believers and non-believers will be allowed to continue until the end at which point all truth will be revealed. And now where along that line is it our responsibility to decide who falls into God’s Kingdom and who does not. That is up to God and the work will be done by the angels.

There is so much freedom in this parable for all of us. It is always freeing to not be the responsible party. My job is to share the Good News. What the hearer does with that news is between them and God. Being taken off of the judge’s throne is liberation. Now we are set free to do what each of us have been called to do – no matter what it is. The outcome is not my problem – it’s God’s and I’m going to leave it in His hands.

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