Treasures Old and New

Image Courtesy of: Adriane McIntyre

^Scripture

^{Matthew 13:51-53}

⁵¹ [Jesus said] “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” ⁵² And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” ⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.

Devotion

You may have noticed that each of this week's blog pieces have unpacked a portion of Matthew 13.  This chapter is notable for the sheer number of parables Jesus shares.  Some are rounded out with lots of details and explanations while others are very brief.

I doubt that the disciples were being completely truthful when they say that they understand everything Jesus has just told them.   Jesus, though, seems to take them at their word when he says, "every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”  This statement must have had the disciples scraping their heads in puzzlement.  Who are these scribes, and what are the treasures that they share?

In Jesus's day, scribes were people trained to read, write, and help interpret documents for others.  We may think of them as the media reporters of their day, sharing religious, political, and other types of messages with people.  The metaphorical scribes Jesus mentions here are his close followers.  When they commit Jesus's sayings to memory or write them down, they become those trained for the Kin-dom of Heaven. Like a scribe shares written messages with the people, Jesus's followers will be responsible for sharing and interpreting his teachings everywhere they go.    Those who hear, understand, and believe what they are taught become scribes as well and carry the Kin-dom's message even further afield. 

Just what, though, is going on with Jesus's comparison between his "scribes" and a master who shares a treasure out of both what is new and what is old?  The treasures we associate with the Kin-dom of Heaven are God's justice, mercy, and love.  Jesus's listeners expected the treasures of the Kin-dom of Heaven to be found in traditional places like the Torah, the words of the prophets, and centuries' worth of Jewish culture and history.  But the Kin-dom's treasures weren't limited to just the things of the past.  They were also found in "new" items like Jesus's parables and actions in the world.  As his scribes, Christ's followers would be given the ability to help others encounter the treasures of the Kin-dom in both the old and the new.  The traditional and the unconventional.

Like the people of Jesus's day, many Christians today are used to receiving and sharing the Kin-dom's treasures in specific ways that have been shaped by centuries with of tradition.  Based on our past experiences, congregations tend to have pretty set ideas about what Bible study, worship, fellowship, and mission should look like.  Our minds boggle at the thought of doing so differently.  We like things as they are: comfortable...conventional...old.

Now we are being asked to rethink how we share God's treasures.  Since the pandemic began, I have been impressed by all the ways people in my congregation are spreading the Good News in creative ways. When worshiping in person became too dangerous, we found ways to worship online and in our homes.  When we missed the support of physical fellowship with one another, and phone calls and emails didn't feel like enough, some of us began gathering on Zoom.  We are figuring out ways to not just sustain but actually expand the scope of our mission in our community.  And we are not done yet.  I hope that with a new school year on the horizon, we can adapt our youth program to the new reality we face.

I'm not saying that "old" is bad.  Our habits and traditions are treasures that help us experience the Kin-dom of Heaven.  But when we rely only on what we are used to and shy away new opportunities, then we severely limit the blessings we receive.  As followers of Christ, we are supposed to help our communities  experience God's love in both the old and the new.  The traditional and the unconventional.  And when we work together, we can lift up both the treasures that come from our past and the new treasures God is providing us here and now.

The fact is that most of the "traditions" we feel attached to were once new and uncomfortable.  They emerged through millennia of growth and change as people from the apostles on down  constantly learned and relearned how to share God's love with others.  We continue their work today.  We may feel unsure of ourselves at times, but the Holy Spirit will keep empowering us to be scribes who share the Kin-dom's treasures with others.

If, like me, you are more comfortable with tradition than with innovation, I invite you to spend some time with God in prayer.  Thank the Holy One for all the treasures we have already been given and ask for help in adapting them to our current situation.  And if the Holy Spirit inspires you or someone you know to find a new treasure, I hope that you share it with others. 

Let us step boldly into the future as we continue witnessing to Christ's love.  Who knows?  Perhaps one day, the things that we find new and uncomfortable will become the tradition that people cannot imagine living without.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help us share the many treasures of the Kin-dom of Heaven with the world.  Whether they be old or new, we know that each one is a gift from you, and we trust that it reflects your love.  Amen.