The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea.
The drawnet
1. We of this generation, a miscellaneous multitude of old and young, good and evil, move about at liberty in the wide expanse of life, as fishes move about in the deep broad sea; but certain mysterious, invisible lines, have been let down into the water, and are silently, slowly creeping near, and winding round us.
2. Good and bad alike are drawn in company towards the shore, but the good and bad are separated when they reach it. (W. Arnot.)
Separating good and bad
There is a machine in the Bank of England which receives sovereigns, as a mill receives grain, for the purpose of determining wholesale whether all are of full weight. As they pass through, the machinery, by unerring laws, throws all that axe light to one side, and all that are of full weight to another. That process is a silent but solemn parable for me. Founded as it is upon the laws of nature, it affords the most vivid similitude of the certainty which characterizes the judgment of the great day. (W. Arnot.)
The net
Here the mixture of good and bad is not attributed to an enemy, but is exhibited as resulting from the nature of the case. In fishing no selection is possible. We are here reminded that we are all advancing through life towards its final issue. This suggests-
1. Enclosure.
2. Enlargement. But the main points of the parable are-
I. The truth that the net gathers “of every kind.” The Church embraces every variety. This mixture arises from the manner in which the kingdom of heaven is proclaimed among men; publicly to all. But this mixture is at length to give place. On the shore a real and final distinction will be made and acted on. The test will be our value to God. (M. Dods, D. D.)
The drag-net
I. The occupation implied. Ministers of the gospel are set forth under various similitudes.
II. The result declared. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that … gathered of every kind;” so the Christian Church is at present in a mixed condition. There are two important uses to which this truth may be applied.
1. To refute a common objection. When religious professors bring scandal on the cause with which they are identified, the enemies of Christianity should remember that in this respect things turn out just as the great Founder of our religion foretold.
2. Inasmuch as the visible Church is thus mixed, all who name the name of Christ should be jealous over themselves with a godly jealousy, and not rest without seeking to ascertain what is their true character.
III. The explanation given-“So shall it be at the end of the world.” Notice.
1. The period when the separation will take place.
2. The agents by whom it will be accomplished.
3. The solemn issue in which it will terminate. (Expository Outlines.)
The parable of the net cast into the sea
The gospel preached may fully be compared to a net.
1. A net is a proper engine or instrument to catch or gather fish; so the gospel, or the Word of God preached, is a proper instrument to gather sinners out of the world into the Church, both visible and invisible (1 Corinthians 1:2).
2. A net is cast into the river or sea before it can take fish, so the word of the gospel must be preached that sinners may be converted.
3. A net takes fish (when they are caught) out of their proper element, and they die immediately; so those sinners who are indeed taken, or spiritually and savingly wrought upon by preaching the Word, are taken out of that element where they lived, and loved to live before-i.e., out of a course of sin and wickedness; and such die presently to sin and to all the vanities of the sea of this world.
4. A net must be cast into the sea or river with judgment by a skilful fisherman; it requires wisdom to use it to answer the end appointed. So ministers, Christ’s spiritual fishermen, ought to be men of great skill, knowledge, wisdom, and experience (2 Corinthians 12:16).
5. A net is cast where a fisherman hath ground to hope he may take store of fish; so a minister should preach where multitudes of people are gathered together, when an opportunity doth present; thus did our Lord (Matthew 5:1).
6. Sometimes fishermen labour all night (as Peter and John did) and take nothing; it is God that blesses their labour when they succeed well.
7. A net takes fish of every kind, some great ones, some small ones; some good, and some bad. So the gospel net gathers of every sort, some rich, some poor, some great ones (but not many of that kind), some little ones, who are despised in the eyes of the world.
8. A fisherman’s work is very hard, and he is exposed oftentimes to be tossed on the tempestuous sea; so is the work of Christ’s ministers. (B. Keach.)