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Parables on the Run For You and Your Child By Beth Belcher The Net The story of The Net is told in the book of Matthew: "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 gnashMt 13:47-50) NRSV ing of teeth.” © Beth Belcher, 2010 Have you ever been able to pick your child’s picture out of a crowd in their yearbook? Or find their class work on the wall at Open House—just by recognizing their handwriting? What about when you meet your soul mate, a person whom you have never known until that day, but who seems somehow very familiar to you. Parables are the way that Jesus used to give us an insight into the Father. The stories that Jesus told are sometimes easy to understand, and at other times a bit of a mystery. But all of the time they are a path to the wisdom of God. Use this pamphlet to become more familiar with this story and then enjoy relating it to your child. The Net Catching fish by using a net is an art that is thousands of years old, and yet it is very modern too. Today, animated movies sometimes even depict this kind of fishing. Most people can relate to it in some way or other. Jesus tells the parable about what will happen at the end of time. He uses the image of fishermen to represent angels who will separate the good souls from the evil ones. As fishermen throw out their nets, they haul in many different kinds of fish which can be pulled up in a single throw. As the fishermen sort through their catch, they keep what they are looking for and throw away what does not belong. Jesus uses this imagery to express how the kingdom of God will be peopled only by those who belong in the family of God. What Does This Story Mean? *The net represents the far-reaching ability of God to embrace all of the creatures that God has made. Jesus takes that abstract concept and makes it concrete so that we can understand the greatness and willingness of God to encircle all of us into God’s own presence. *The fish represent all of the peoples of the world, those who desire union with God in heaven and those who don’t. This parable is a great way for Jesus to show that God does not choose who goes to heaven and who does not, rather, we make the choice everyday whether or not we will follow Jesus to heaven. *The buckets unceremoniously represent heaven, where the ‘good’ will go, *It then makes sense that the fiery furnace stands for total and complete absence of God, which we call hell. *Children have an innate sense of what is good and what is bad. They instinctively desire to do what is good even if their habits don’t always allow them to do that. Remind your child that God reaches out to us, like a net that catches fish, so that we can be with him forever. Play this short game with your child: tell them that you will be God and your arms will be God’s net, and your child will be the little fish whom God is embracing. Pull them close and remind them that God loves them— even more than you do!