Matthew 13:44-50

⁴⁴ “The kingdom from the sky is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom from the sky is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,

⁴⁶ who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. ⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom from the sky is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every variety.

⁴⁸ When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good ones into containers but threw away the bad ones.

⁴⁹ So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

⁵⁰ and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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love and hell

These stories – like the story of the poisonous weeds – are also all about hell – the destruction of all evil at the conclusion of this age when Jesus returns. Be we sometimes fail to see the love Jesus has for us in theses stories.

1. He loves us so much that he will not allow us to keep living surrounded by evil. He will rescue us both from the ways of the old world that trouble us internally, and from the presence of evil itself. Sin and death will be destroyed in Gehenna.

2. He loves us so much that he is ready to give up all he has for us. This is remarkable given the fact that he is the creator of the universe. He will destroy it all, and the only thing he will not let go is his hidden treasure: us.

3. He values us more than any other being in creation.

4. He has determined to protect us from his coming judgment. He will send his angels, and they know which fish are keepers and which are throwaways. His love will keep us safe, even as his wrath is unleashed.

LORD, thank you for loving us so much that you have chosen to rescue us from your coming wrath.