⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Dear God, I like the question and answer in verse 51. He asks if they have understood these things and they say, “Yes.” Did they really, or was it one of those times when there was no way they were going to say, “No.”

I remember when my kids were young and they did something wrong. I would punish them and then go back and ask them why they were being punished. About half of the time they were wrong about why they were being punished. It was clear to me, but was it clear to them?

In this case, and for this parable, what does separate a wicked person from a righteous person? Where is that line? Frankly, I’m not perfectly clear. The rich young ruler had to sell all he had and give it to the poor. Do all of us have to do that?

Father, I admit that I don’t understand everything you are trying to teach me. In fact, right now, I feel a little dazed and confused on a couple of fronts. So this is where I need to discipline myself to focus on you and seek your wisdom and insight. Help me to understand what you are calling me to do and to embrace all that you are during these trials.