Today’s Bible readings can be found here: Psalm 68:1-16 and Matthew 13:36-58.
Matthew 13:47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.” (NIV)
Growing up in Scotland, one of the joys of childhood that I experienced, was spending a day at the local park with a cane fishing net and an empty jelly jar. There were several ponds in the park and all of them contained minnows and sticklebacks which I enjoyed catching. I spent hours trolling around the edge of the pond with my net in the water, earnestly hoping to scoop up a shoal of small fish and place them in my water filled jar. It was the simplest of pleasures and cost practically nothing. As the sun went down over the horizon and the gloaming magically appeared, I would tip the fish from my jar back into the pond before I walked home. Life was good and I felt very blessed.
I like the simple stories that Jesus told about the Kingdom of God. Instead of using complicated theological descriptions to convey what He meant, Christ shared His ideas about God in very basic and appealing ways. At the end of today’s passage (Matthew 13:47-48), He describes God’s Kingdom in three different ways. The one I like best, of course, is the fishing illustration. I can relate to it personally and find it both meaningful and comforting. For me, God’s Kingdom contains that simple happiness I discovered as a boy in Scotland, fishing around the park pond. This is what attracts me to Jesus and I look forward to being in God’s everlasting realm through Christ’s grace and love.
Perhaps you are going through a rough time or you feel unsettled. Maybe you have many worries and deep concerns. Whatever the case, please know this: God cares for you and His Kingdom is all around us. We are children of His grace, loved at all times, and will be blessed beyond anything we can imagine.
Point to ponder: What makes me happy? Can I find that same happiness with God’s Kingdom?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You told the simplest of stories to reveal to us the love of God and His Kingdom. Help us to know that we are cherished and that your words show us God’s compassion and care. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.
Today’s image is one of John’s fish drawings called “Fantail.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click here.