Something Old, Something New

Nov 27

Read: Matthew 13:51-52

Something Old, Something New

“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” - Jesus

Life in the Kingdom of God is never stale. It is a matter of being reminded of things that we already know and having our eyes and ears opened to what is new and “fresh”. Life in the Kingdom is a perfect mixture of the familiar and comforting with the new and challenging. Life in Christ holds for us both “old treasures” as well as “new treasures” (v.52)

To be “trained for the kingdom of heaven” means being able to see these things and to share them. This is what “every scribe” who serves Jesus must be able to do. We must never grow tired of the familiar and “old treasures” of Christ and be able to share them often with those around us. We need to be able to remind each other of the steadfast work of Christ. We never “outgrow” confession and repentance or our need for Christ to continue transforming us. These are “old treasures”. Likewise, in our walk with the Lord we will inevitably experience new and greater things… become aware of even greater and deeper ways he loves us and cares for us. Our eyes are opened to the richness of the scriptures as well… and passages we have read 100 times yield “new treasure”. This is what we bring out to the people as “scribes trained for the kingdom of heaven”. We bring “out of (our) treasure what is new and what is old” to each other and to the world around us. There is variety and freshness alongside what is time-tested and classic. When we start to think there is nothing new to be had or that the “treasures” of Christ have grown old we are abandoning out role in the kingdom!

There is one other thing I want you all to see. In the parable, the “master of the house” brings out of “his treasure” what is presented to the people. Do you notice the ownership? What does this mean? In the kingdom, we do not coast on someone else’s relationship or experience of God. We cannot live up to our role and potential in the KOG resting on someone else’s study or ideas. As scribes trained for the kingdom we must pursue Christ for ourselves! No doubt that other pastors, leaders, authors, and theologians will be coaches along the way… but someone else’s relationship and study can never be a stand-in for our own. The “old and new treasures” that we present some from OUR stores. We have all seen or heard someone who delivers someone else’s “treasures”. Those moments lack power and conviction… it is obvious that the person is trying to hand out something that is not theirs. Christ is “training” us so that we will have our own personal experience with him and be able to speak to others of the goodness of God from our own study and convictions! In this way, when as God moves amongst his people, it is amplified and multiplied. We share with others, they in turn are spurred on into their own study, they share with others what they have experienced… and it GROWS. “Old treasures” stacked on “new treasures”.

You have been / are being trained as scribes in the kingdom of God. As his sons and daughters this is the life you are called into. God is entrusting you with treasure to share. He wants you to remember his olds gifts and look forward to the new ones. We are called to bring these gifts out to share with those around us. If you feel stuck in a rut - ask the Lord to break you out of it! Open the scriptures again and read expecting “new treasures”. Begin to share with others what you already know (“old treasures”) and in the process you may be awakened… refreshed. Dust off the memories of how God has rescued you and loved you in the past… and let them propel you into the future. For those of you who are working through new ideas… or experiencing Christ in new ways… SHARE THOSE EXPERIENCES with others. Do not be afraid to talk about them. Bring those “new treasures” out to be enjoyed by all. Don’t worry, God will never run out of new, fresh, and exciting ways to reveal himself to his children and show them how much he loves them and cares for them! Love you guys. - JDP