Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:47-50

I have heard Christian theology described by some (in not so flattering terms) as “Pie in the Sky When You Die.” I don’t really like that characterization (although I love pie, and wouldn’t mind that for eternity). There may be some explanation for this type of heaven thought when we hear this parable of Jesus.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind … at the end of the age the angels will put the good into baskets … and the evil will be thrown into the furnace of fire.”

As I think of this story, I hope that my heaven experience will not include a fiery furnace. When the sorting occurs, I hope I will be found in the good pile.

This parable doesn’t really explain how we are considered good in God’s eyes. I guess we should keep our eyes and ears open as we explore other parables of Jesus to see if we can hear the hints to that question.

Prayer

God, keep me alert to how You are speaking to me, today and each day, as I try to follow in the footsteps of my Savior and Lord Jesus. Amen.