Parables Of The Kingdom Part 5 - The Dragnet

Title: “Parables of the Kingdom Part V – The Dragnet” Script: Mt. 13:47-50

Type: Series/expos. Where: GNBC 2-25-24

Intro: If you were a child in the 1960’s you most likely remember the tv series that introduced the world to Sgt. Joe Friday and his faithful assistant, officer Bill Gannon. “Dragnet” ran for 4 seasons, from 1967-1970. “The best-known quote from the TV series Dragnet was never actually said by Sgt. Joe Friday…or at least not quite. It was used in a pseudo-parody movie with Dan Aykroyd adapting the phrase from two similar statements: “All we want are the facts, ma’am” and “All we know are the facts, ma’am.” (SA, 10-1-12). Well, today we are looking at the final of the Kingdom Parables in Mt. 13, although there is one more parable in Mt. 13, although it is a parable of application for Jesus’ audience. There is a lot of speculation amongst Christians when it comes to eschatology (end times) with a lot of interesting conclusions made from what Jesus did or didn’t say. As we wrap up these parables of the Kingdom of Heaven, we see that Jesus makes some very clear statements about its consummation. So, per the advice of Sgt. Friday, it is our intention to “Know the facts, ma’am.”

Prop: Exam Mt. 13, we’ll recognize 3 pertinent facts pertaining to the consummation of the KOH.

BG: 1. This is the 7th of the parables of the KOH in Mt. 13.

2. The author of this Gospel, Matthew, was referred to as “Levi” by Luke and Mark. Tax collector.

3. No easy way around it. This parable is a parable of judgment. Christ is concluding His parables of the KOH and is now stating a concerning truth:

Prop: Looking at Mt. 13 we’ll notice 3 pertinent facts pertaining to the consummation of the KOH.

I. Preparation for Final Judgment v. 47

A. This Final Parable of the KOH relates to the Consummation of the Age.

1. This parable relates to judgment at the end of the age.

a. I want you to notice a similarity herein to the parable of “The Wheat and the Tares”. However, the emphasis herein in on the end of the Age. In the parable of “The Wheat and the Tares”, the sower sowing suggests the beginning of the age. The net being dragged to shore suggests the end/the consummation of the Age. As we have seen in the 7 parables the emphasis moves from the advent of the KOH to its dynamic value, an understanding of its incredible value, to now, its consummation.

b. When one considers a passage we often look at those passages independently of one another, but Matthew 13 is an excellent example of why we must look at Scripture in the context of Scripture. Each of these parables, arguably, stands alone, however, they must be seen as combining together to contribute to an entire message that Jesus was teaching His disciples (Us today!) as to the Advent, Growth, Value, and Consummation of the Kingdom.

2. This Parable is built around the image of a common fishing implement: A dragnet.

a. Illust: As a boy I fished a lot. We sometimes used a landing net if we knew there was a potential of catching very large fish that could break the lines (Channel Cats and Spoonbill Carp), However, I can only remember one time, as a very little boy watch my grandfather and an uncle us a large net to catch smelt in Michigan. In my memory I would guess the nets were 20-30’ long, My grandfather waded out several feet from shore and then he and my uncle would pull the net towards shore. That even they caught the tiny smelt by the gunny sack full! One type of net helped to catch one specific fish. The other type of net gathered all its path.

b. Certainly Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were all listening intently as Jesus made reference to an important tool of their trade. There were actually two types of nets used by fishermen in the time of Christ. The one being alluded to here was the “sagene” or “seine net” with floats on the top edges and weights at the bottom. In deep water fishing, two or three boats would work together to set up a net between them and chase fish into the net. These nets covered an immense area of lake surface, and encircled and naturally indiscriminately gathered all types of fish.

B. The KOH, like a Dragnet, indiscriminately gathers in all types of people.

1.The Dragnet is illustrative of the influence of the KOH.

a. v.47 – gathering fish of every kind (ek pantos genous). Most scholars agree that the exaggerated inclusiveness of this phrase may be an intentional reflection on the universality of the invitation to accept the Good News of the KOH. Isn’t this what is being taught by our Lord when Jesus tells the parable of the Wedding Feast later, in Mt. 22. There again, Jesus is speaking of the KOH, and how the King is inviting His citizens (The Jews) to come to the wedding feast of His Son. However, they refuse to come, so the King sends out His slaves. In fact, these invited guests reject and mistreat and even kill the King’s emissaries. So an army is sent by the King to destroy the city and punish these evil doers. Then, He commands His messengers to go out to the highways, inviting all they could find, “both evil and good and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.” (Mt. 22:10). Good and evil were invited in. No distinction was made as to the invitation. The dragnet was cast without discrimination into the waters. Friend, we are to preach the Gospel to everyone! We are not to make distinctions. It is not our business to. The Kings servants went out inviting all to the banquet. The fishermen throw the dragnet into the deep. The very nature of the enormous dragnet makes it impossible to attempt to specifically catch just one type of fish. You and I are called today to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven to every man, woman, and child, and every ethnic group in the world. No choice.