The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 13:52,
"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."
Following a series of parables concerning the kingdom of heaven, Jesus made this comment. The teachers of the law would have been those who taught the folks what the Scriptures had to say. From this vantage point, the Scriptures would have included only what we have in what we call the "Old Testament". Newly inspired writings would be coming shortly and so Jesus' statement here causes me to think of the importance of both the books contained in the Old Testament as well as the 26 in the New Testament.
As Paul pointed out to Timothy (in the midst of the production of the newly inspired writings of the New Testament), it is all of the books of the sacred library we call our Bible that prepare us for all we need to be in our life in Christ, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
I am reminded that all of Scripture is important. It is there, provided for us through the Holy Spirit because we need it. All sixty-six books are inspired, authoritative, and importantly, intentional - God intends us to use them to become what he wants us to be.
Just as we would be spiritually malnourished if we only ever read the four gospels, and none of Paul's writings or the general epistles, so we would be not getting all we need if we neglected Moses' writings, or David's or the prophets of old.
Spiritual treasure is to be had in all of Scripture - Genesis through Revelation. A storeroom of treasure to appropriate to equip us for all things!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"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."
Following a series of parables concerning the kingdom of heaven, Jesus made this comment. The teachers of the law would have been those who taught the folks what the Scriptures had to say. From this vantage point, the Scriptures would have included only what we have in what we call the "Old Testament". Newly inspired writings would be coming shortly and so Jesus' statement here causes me to think of the importance of both the books contained in the Old Testament as well as the 26 in the New Testament.
As Paul pointed out to Timothy (in the midst of the production of the newly inspired writings of the New Testament), it is all of the books of the sacred library we call our Bible that prepare us for all we need to be in our life in Christ, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
I am reminded that all of Scripture is important. It is there, provided for us through the Holy Spirit because we need it. All sixty-six books are inspired, authoritative, and importantly, intentional - God intends us to use them to become what he wants us to be.
Just as we would be spiritually malnourished if we only ever read the four gospels, and none of Paul's writings or the general epistles, so we would be not getting all we need if we neglected Moses' writings, or David's or the prophets of old.
Spiritual treasure is to be had in all of Scripture - Genesis through Revelation. A storeroom of treasure to appropriate to equip us for all things!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment