The Dragnet of Justice


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.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” Matthew 13:47-52

Right before I started writing this, I was on a forum that talked about how politicians commit real crimes but are rarely caught and incarcerated. They were calling it to tiers of justice, one for the wealthy and well-connected, and another for the commoner.

While there is truth to that in many countries around the world – including the United States – God sees it differently.

In this parable, which is similar to the parable of the wheat and the tares, we see justice in the end. We may even cheer at the wicked being thrown into the blazing furnace because they are finally getting their justice.

If you’ve been reading this space for any length of time then you’ll know that justice and injustice is a common theme – as it is throughout the Bible.

Nothing escapes God’s notice, nothing.

That includes your actions, thoughts, and words, my actions, thoughts, and words, and all the actions, thoughts, and words of more than seven billion people on Planet Earth. Not to mention the actions, thoughts, and words of the billions of people who have gone before us.

That’s comforting, and, yes, troubling.

I am grateful for God’s perfect justice, and of course, His mercy.

So, while we really don’t see true justice meted out here on earth, God will not be mocked. This world is not the final resting place for any of us, and we are deluded thinking so.

For all who have had to endure unspeakable injustice, God will right that wrong through His perfect, unquestioned justice.

Those who wronged you will eternally regret their actions and words.


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