Parables

[Santoso]

The Parable of the Dragnet 

Matthew 13:47-50

 

This is what we have heard: 

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

 

The parable of the Dragnet seems quite obvious as if the Lord explains  the parable together with the meaning. 

 

Since it is still parable, we need to seek to hear and understand and see and perceive. 

 

This is what we have heard: 

And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. -Mark 4:24

 

So, what we can understand about this parable and more. 

 

Since the Lord says,” "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. “

 

We can understand that this parable is related with others that He has spoken. 

 

We can consider the one who has thrown the net into the sea was Son of Man. 

 

What we can understand about the sea ? This is what we have heard: 

 

You make mankind like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler. -Habakkuk 1:14

 

So, we can perceive that the net that was thrown into the sea was the net was thrown into mankind whom the Lord make like the fish of the sea. 

 

Also, we heard in the parable :

When it was full,.... So it will be at the end of the age. 

 

So this is what we have heard:

 

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law,

to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. -Galatians 4:4-7

 

From here, we can understand those who were born, were under the law.

 

This is what we have heard what the law says to those who are under the law : 

 

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. -Romans 3:19

 

Thus, we can determine that the net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind was the law. 

 

Did the good fish and bad fish born under the law ? Yes

 

This is what we have heard:

 

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. -John 3:6

 

Does this mean the good fish and bad fish born under different law ? 

Yes

 

This is what we have heard:

 

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. -Romans 3:27

 

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. -Romans 3:28

 

Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, -Romans 3:29

 

since God is one'who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. -Romans 3:30

 

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. -Romans 3:31

 

Here we can understand that the good fish are under the law of faith, while the bad fish are under the law of works. 

 

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. -Galatians 3:21

 

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. -Galatians 3:22

 

As the net imprison the fish, so the those under law of works or the law of works of sin or law of sin were imprisoned as slaves of sin but those under law of faith were imprisoned as slaves of righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus. 

 

That is why we heard this :

 

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. -Romans 8:1

 

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. -Romans 8:2

 

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh ( that is law of sin and death ), could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, -Romans 8:3

 

in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. -Romans 8:4

 

Here, we can understand that the good fish or the righteous saints who are not condemned in union with Christ Jesus by faith. 

But the bad fish or the evildoers are  condemned by being thrown into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For they did not believe 

the promise given by faith in Christ Jesus. 

 

For the righteous requirement of the law of Spirit of life are fulfilled in those who walk according to the Holy Spirit. 

 

In other words, the good fish swim according to the Spirit while the bad fish swim according to the flesh. 

 

Let us heed this admonition: 

  

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, -Hebrews 2:2

 

how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, -Hebrews 2:3

 

while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. -Hebrews 2:4

 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a law that was given to mankind and gathered people of every kind. 

 

Let the Word of Messiah in all its richness dwell in us.

Let overflowing thanksgiving be given through our Lord Jesus Christ to God, 

Glorifying His wonderful name. 

Amen

[Santoso]

 

Beloved ones,let us consider what our teacher, Jesus said to us:

 

”Hear ye THEREFORE the parable of the sower.“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

What is THE REASON that Jesus intended to reach to us by understanding the parable of the sower ? 

 

Earlier, Jesus said:

 

”For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to SEE THOSE THINGS WHICH YE SEE, and have not seen them; and TO HEAR THOSE THINGS WHICH YE HEAR, and have not heard them.“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Let us PERCEIVE, for THOSE THINGS WHICH we SEE, and to UNDERSTAND THOSE THINGS WHICH we HEAR, for verily Jesus say unto us, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see and have not seen them, and to hear and have not heard them: the parable of the sower.

 

That Jesus said:

 

”When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

If we which received the seed NOT by the wayside, we PERCEIVE , for we received the seed NATURALLY, that we received Christ NATURALLY.

 

When we heard the word of the kingdom, and understand it ( the word of the kingdom, then cometh NOT the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in our hearts but cometh the righteous one, and free that is reaped in our hearts.

These are we which received seed NATURALLY.

 

For when we heard the word of the kingdom, then cometh Christ, the righteous one, for He spoke rightly the word of the kingdom.

 

When we understand the word of the kingdom, then free, that is reaped in our hearts, for He sowed the word of freedom into  our hearts, that our hearts may reap spiritual freedom. This is we which received Christ NATURALLY. 

 

For we heard, when the righteous one cometh, and free that is reaped in our hearts.

 

That we may understand, when the righteous one come, that righteousness of freedom that is fulfilled in our hearts. These are we which received Christ NATURALLY. 

 

Paraphrasing for clarity: 

 

When we heard the word of the kingdom, and understand the word of the kingdom, then cometh the righteous one, 

and free that is reaped in our hearts, for righteousness of freedom that is fulfilled in our hearts when the righteous one cometh. These are we which received Christ naturally, for we received righteousness of freedom that is fulfilled in our hearts when Christ cometh.

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen

[Santoso]

For we heard Jesus our teacher said: 

 

”But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

”yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

For we that received the seed NOT into stony places, for we that received the seed into SMOOTH places, the same are we that understand the word, and IN THE LONG RUN with TRIBULATION receiveth it ( the word of the kingdom);

 

henceforth hath we root in Christ, that endure to eternity: for henceforth joy and pardon complete without being affected by after tribulation or prosecution, by and by we are pleased.

 

for we that received Christ in the long run with tribulation receiveth the word of the kingdom; the same are we that understand Christ.

Henceforth hath we root in Christ, that endure to eternity: 

 

for henceforth joy and pardon complete without being affected by after tribulation or prosecution, by and by we are pleased.

 

Selah 

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen

[Santoso]

For we heard Jesus our teacher said: 

 

”He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

If we also that received seed NOT among the thorns, we also that received seed among the joyful are we that understand the word; and the care of ANOTHER world, and the liability of lack, free another word, and we in Christ becometh fruitful.

 

we also that received Christ the among the joyful are we that understand the word; that Christ, the care of ANOTHER world, that Christ,the liability of lack, or the abundance free us in  Union with Him, and He bring forth abundantly in the new earth.

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen

[Santoso]

For we heard Jesus our teacher said: 

 

”But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

For we that received Christ into the good heart are we that heareth the word, and understandeth it ( the word); which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold,some sixty, some thirty.

 

That we may understand, for we that received Christ into the goodness of the heart  

are we that heareth the word, and understandeth it ( the revelation of the word); which also abide in Christ, and speak the word of the truth of the gospel some hear God’s grace in truth an hundredfold,some sixty, some thirty.

 

Selah

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ ourAmen

[Santoso]

For verily Jesus says unto us, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to SEE THOSE THINGS WHICH we SEE, and have not seen them

; and TO HEAR THOSE THINGS WHICH we HEAR, and have not heard them.

 

For many prophets and righteous men have NOT PERCEIVED and UNDERSTOOD: 

 

when we heard the word of the kingdom, and understand the word of the kingdom, then cometh the righteous one, 

and free that is reaped in our hearts, for righteousness of freedom that is fulfilled in our hearts when the righteous one cometh. These are we which received Christ naturally, for we received righteousness of freedom that is fulfilled in our hearts when Christ cometh.

 

That we that received Christ into smooth places, the same are we  that heareth the word, and in the long run with tribulation receiveth Christ the word;

‭‭

henceforth hath we root in Christ, that endure to eternity: that henceforth joy and pardon complete without being affected by after tribulation or prosecution, by and by we are pleased.

 

we also that received Christ the among the joyful are we that understand the word; that Christ, the care of ANOTHER world, that Christ,the liability of lack, or the abundance that free us in  Union with Him, and He bring forth abundantly in the new earth.

 

For we that received Christ into the goodness of the heart  

are we that heareth the word, and understandeth it ( the revelation of the word); which also abide in Christ, and speak the word of the truth of the gospel some hear God’s grace in truth an hundredfold,some sixty, some thirty.

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen

[farouk]

The Book of Proverbs is in quite a similar style to that of the parables.

[Santoso]

Parable of the Pearl of great value 

Matthew 13:45-46

 

This is what we have heard:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, -Matthew 13:45

who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. -Matthew 13:46

 

When the Lord said AGAIN, He is saying that this parable of the pearl is related with the parable of the hidden treasure. 

 

As It is written in the parable of hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44

 

“Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

 

Similarly, it is written in the parable of the pearl :

 

“went and sold all that he had and bought it”. 

 

We can understand when the Lord relate to us both parables that the Son of Man was the merchant who went and sold all that he had and bought the pearl. 

 

In bible, we can understand that the merchant is rendered as a traveller who travel about with their merchandise from place to place and carried on their trade.

 

This is what we have heard regarding the travel of the Son of Man: 

 

No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. -John 3:13

 

This merchant is said in search of fine pearls. 

 

What can be considered as “fine” ?

Let us first understand how pearls was formed. 

 

Natural Pearls form when an irritant - usually a parasite and not the proverbial grain of sand - works its way into an oyster, mussel, or clam. As a defense mechanism, a fluid is used to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating, called 'nacre', is deposited until a lustrous pearl is formed.

 

So makes fine pearl is this coating is laid layer by layer called ‘nacre’.

 

Since we understand from the parable of hidden treasure, we know the Lord have spoken the treasure as those who obey His voice, keep His commandments and who fear Him. 

 

Likewise, in the parable of the pearl, we can deduce the Lord speaking about those that is layered by layer with pearl qualities. 

 

The expression that is in resemblance with fine quality. This is what we have heard: 

 

Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; -Revelation 19:7

 

it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"'  for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. -Revelation 19:8

 

So, the fine pearls can considered like the layer upon layer of righteous deeds of the saints that was granted to clothe the Bride.

 

In other words, again, the kingdom of heaven is like the Son of Man in search of righteous deeds of the saints, 

who, on finding the Bride, went and gave all that He had and bought Her out of slavery of sin with His blood. 

 

For this is what we have heard:

 

Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far beyond that of pearls.-Proverbs 31:10 CJB 

 

Thus, the merchant was the Son of Man have travelled from heaven to earth on finding one pearl of great value, that is the Bride of Christ. 

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.