OLD AND NEW TREASURES

OLD AND NEW TREASURES

Matt. 13:52 ¶ Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

One of the great mysteries of the Bible is this, it is both old and new at the same time. Spiritual awakening opens our spiritual senses so that the scripture becomes brand new to us. Often, before my conversion, I would try to read the Bible. The problem was this, I couldn’t understand it and as a result, it was incredibly boring. One of the sure signs of conversion is that the Bible becomes strangely attractive to us. What has happened is this, you have tasted the newness of the word. It is alive and active, it is always speaking to us. As a result we want to read it, the Bible is the source of all of our life, in it we unlock the keys to happiness, holiness, and godly success.
Now here is the mystery, it is not only new but incredibly old. The word of God has been the food for God’s people for thousands of years. The treasures they discovered have been stored up for our benefit. One of the great blessings in my life was discovering these ancient wells and learning how to drink from them. About twenty years ago I discovered the writings of Jonathan Edwards. His books and sermons have proved to be a great source of spiritual food in my life. I have learned a great deal from him about drinking from the word of God. One of the great treasures I have mined from his gold mine in this, GOD IS GLORIFIED BY MY JOY. Here is the catch, God is glorified by my joy when God Himself is my joy. Actually when we are drinking from these ancient wells we are doing just as Jesus instructed us to do, we are bringing out old and new treasures. Robertson’s Word Pictures brings out the value of these new and old treasures.

“Here a scribe is made a learner to the kingdom. “The mere scribe, Rabbinical in spirit, produces only the old and stale. The disciple of the kingdom like the Master, is always fresh-minded, yet knows how to value all old spiritual treasures of Holy Writ, or Christian tradition” (Bruce). So he uses things fresh (kaina) and ancient (palaia). “He hurls forth” (ekballei) both sorts.”

Albert Barnes also commented about the importance of the old and the new.

“New and old. Things lately acquired, or things that had been laid up for a long time. So, said Christ, be you. This truth, new or old, which you have gained, keep it not laid up and hid, but bring it forth, in due season, and on proper occasions, to benefit others.”

As we begin 2014 let’s take notice of what Jesus taught us. We will feast on His word, wait in His presence, and bring forth new and old treasures from the ancient wells.