January 12, 2023 – Matthew 13 – A Day of Retribution Coming

Leviticus 13, Matthew 13, 1 Timothy 3

My family has been watching true crime shows lately. We have watched a couple where you were sure who did it by the end of the show. One person had been calling restaurants, pretending to be a cop, having the manager terrorize young female employees that he lied and claimed had stolen something. The other was a man who murdered a woman. Both seemed to have plenty of circumstantial evidence to convict them. However, they both were cleared by the jury.

In my mind they were obviously guilty but the juries believed there wasn’t enough evidence to convict them. We all know about travesties of justice that have happened, and still happen every day. How do we cope with the idea of murderers walking freely among us?

Fortunately for us, we don’t have to worry about the wicked getting away with evil forever. In Matthew 13, Jesus tells a parable describing how one day the wicked will receive their recompense for their evil deeds. He says, “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 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. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew13:47–50NIV

We have laws and a legal system. If the wicked manage to subvert those and escape justice, we don’t have to worry about it. Even though the evidence seems to be clear, unless we saw them, we can’t be sure of someone’s guilt. However, God knows and he will see that justice is done. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans12:19NIV

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for knowing all. No man will deceive you. You will reward the righteous and repay the wicked for their evil deeds. Help me to always follow you so I am not caught up with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.