MEDITATIONS FROM THE PARABLES OF JESUS
THE HOUSEHOLDER
Read Matthew 13:51-52
By the enlightening of the Holy Ghost, Jesus' disciples were beginning to understand the spiritual truths which Jesus taught in His parables. They had been instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven; so Jesus said, "Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old." Jesus is here comparing a scribe or teacher of God's Word who was instructed in the truths of God's kingdom to a householder who brought out both new and old things from his treasure. How true this is! As one, through instruction from God's Word, grows in his understanding of the kingdom of heaven, he can share from the Scripture more and more insights into God's kingdom. He can share not only those very basic doctrinal formulations which he learned from the Scriptures; he can share new illustrations of those Scriptural truths and other new things which he has learned from the Word of God. In this way, the Christian teacher brings things new and old out of the storehouse of his knowledge which has been gained through the study of God's Word.
For this reason, we all continue to search
and study the Holy Scriptures, that we may learn more about Jesus Christ and
His eternal kingdom, and that we may have more to share with others when we
speak to them of God's Word. Laymen too can heed the admonition of Paul to
Timothy: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (II Timothy
Lord of the Church, we humbly pray for those who guide us in the way and speak Thy holy Word. With love divine their hearts inspire and touch their lips with hallowed fire and needful strength afford. Help them to preach the Truth of God, redemption thro' the Savior's blood, nor let the Spirit cease on all the Church His gifts to show'r--to them a messenger of pow'r; to us, of life and peace. Amen. (TLH, Hymn #489, Verses 1-2)