Old And New

Read: Matthew 13:51-52

Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old. Matthew 13:52

IN WORD

There are treasures in the law of God. While the law doesn’t bring life, it does reflect His nature. Perhaps surprisingly to the modern Christian, Jesus doesn’t reject the teachers of the law as out of touch with God’s will. There are Torah teachers who become Kingdom disciples, and they are highly valued. Why? Because they recognize how God has been working from ages past and is fulfilling His purposes today. They see the connection between covenants. They see Jesus in the Hebrew Scriptures and rejoice at His coming. Their storeroom is full of treasures that everyone should experience.

Israel was given guardianship of the Kingdom until Christ came; Paul says the law was like a tutor who guided us until that time (Galatians 3:24-25). Though the majority of scribes and teachers of the law in the time of Jesus didn’t recognize Him—they missed the time of their visitation that had been prophesied for centuries—some did. Nicodemus came to Him by night. Others were sympathetic to His teaching. Paul encountered Him on a road to Damascus and was forever changed. In the centuries since, messianic believers have seen the richness of God’s work throughout the ages and shown us the deep symbolism and layers of the Word. Teachers of the law have had marvelous insights into what God has done.

IN DEED

Why does this matter? For one thing, the Gentile church has often divorced itself from its Jewish roots, losing context and depth of meaning in our interpretation of Scripture. For another, prophecy and the movements of this generation tend to point toward a time of reconciliation when Jews and Christians see each other as friends. God honors that friendship, and the Kingdom grows through it. Many are drawn to Him as He moves among His people, reconciling people of all backgrounds to Himself. And the treasures of the storeroom become more visible for all to see.

ADDITIONAL READING: Zechariah 8:20-23

It is the sharp needle of the law that makes way for the scarlet thread of the gospel.

SAMUEL BOLTON