IN WITH THE NEW...AND THE OLD

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk.com.
In Christ, Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** Follow The Christian Walk on Twitter @ThChristianWalk

** Like posts and send friend requests to the author of The Christian Walk, Mark Cummings on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mark.cummings.733?ref=tn_tnmn

** Become a Follower of The Christian Walk at http://the-christian-walk.blogspot.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

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

“Yes,” they replied.

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.”

Matthew 13:51-52

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Through our study of Jesus’ recent teachings, specifically focused on the parables, we have found the disciples not exactly comprehending what Jesus was trying to impart on them. As we see in today’s verses from Matthew 13, this changes. Look again at the words of Jesus here:

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

“Yes,” they replied.

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.”  Matthew 13:51-52

After offering an explanation of the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus told His followers three new parables concerning hidden treasure, pearls, and a net. Each of these items was used as symbology to explain the kingdom of heaven while Jesus revealed a specific spiritual truth.

We see in today’s passage, that Jesus does a comprehension check, asking His disciples:

“Have you understood all these things?”

The response shows us that the disciples were finally reaching a point of discernment where they no longer required Jesus’ interpretation. Rather, they understood what He was conveying to them. They were now seeing and also perceiving, hearing and understanding. Once solely bearers of the Law as Jews, these men were now disciples who had gained the kingdom of heaven through their belief and trust in Jesus, receiving the new covenant He was bringing from God the Father.

Like Jesus, who was a Jew, His followers were receiving a new and radical teaching, “new treasures” that they could bring out of the “storerooms” (their hearts and minds) of their “house” (their body). Since Jesus didn’t come to take away the Law but rather enhance and grow it, the “old treasures” (Old Testament teachings) were still relevant and to be used along with the “new treasures” found in Jesus’ fresh instruction. This was validated by the way Jesus used Old Testament scriptures in His New Testament teaching. One needs only read the Gospels to see where He quoted the Old Testament over and over again.

The main point here is that Jesus’ followers were growing in their knowledge of the scriptures and, as a result, their ability to help others become who they already were, disciples of the kingdom of heaven. This would become the foundation of Jesus’ marching orders provided to all who placed their faith and hope in Him, marching orders we know as the Great Commission:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus imparts new treasures on believers to be added to the old ones they already have. This matter of new being added to the old comes with every journey we take into the word of God for I can honestly say that there isn’t a time I study the Bible that I don’t come away with spiritual wisdom and guidance, no matter how many times I may have read a passage before. The Holy Spirit continuously imparts treasures to us, treasures of heaven that this earth cannot provide, treasures that help us establish the kingdom of heaven while we are here on earth.

Friends, every day God gives us to live is a day rich with opportunities to help others come to their salvation through Jesus (Acts 4:11-12), the only One by which they can be saved - Jesus, the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29) - Jesus, the only One through which we can come to God the Father (John 14:6).

How well are you sharing the treasures of heaven with others while serving as a disciple of the kingdom of heaven?

It’s a question we should be asking ourselves daily.

Amen.  
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com