Separate

Separate (by David Peterson at The Rock Of Jesus Church)

In His “Parable of the Dragnet” found in the parable chapter of Matthew, Jesus says the following in Matthew 13:47-50; “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come forth and remove the wicked from among the righteous, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus effectively compares fishing with a weighted net to that of separating the good and righteous from the bad and wicked. In this parable He alerts us all of the coming judgment.

The insightful Welsh theologian and preacher, David Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote; “It was God’s hand that laid hold of me, and drew me out, and separated me to this work.” Lloyd-Jones correctly states that God is responsible for our path in life and ultimate destination in everything we do. Jesus even said in John 15:16; “You did not choose Me but I chose you”.

In 1902 Lucy Bennett wrote the hymn “Holy, Happy Separation!” and the first verse is;

Holy, happy separation!

They alone are truly blest

Who from all besides retiring,

And Himself alone desiring

Find in Jesus only rest,

Find in Jesus only rest.

Bennett reflects on the happiness found when Jesus separates us for His purposes.

Let us pray: Savior, Lord Jesus we know that we will be separated as believers and non-believers according to your prophecy. Hold us steadfast in your hand on that glorious day! Amen.