Matthew 13: 51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore 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.
This is the parable chapter filled with lots of truth for us to learn. It requires deep thought. Jesus illustrated his lessons by using common things in the world. They called him Master because he was the best teacher. The Bible is made of two parts, the old and new testaments. They are treasures, old and new. Both are the Word of God. It takes both the old and new working together.
When Jesus asked them if they understood all he taught they said yes. Then said he unto them, Therefore 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. This householder had a treasure. It’s given by the Master, the old and the new. Both are treasures.
You can’t just go by the Old Testament and abolish the New. You must study both. If we only go by the Old, the book of Galatians says we are fallen. We keep the spirit of the Law. The commandments required were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. They are a goal. In the New we receive the righteousness of Christ and live righteous in him. We’re able to say no to Satan and choose the right way. The householder didn’t just keep the new treasures. He kept both old and new. Both the Old and New Testaments are necessary. Without the Old we wouldn’t understand the New and we would be hurting without the New.
Let’s consider the old treasure. Look at Jeremiah 6:16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
God told them to ask for the old paths. What is there to learn? It has been laid out for us. Man didn’t establish the path. This verse says it’s the good way. The people had a choice. It’s like being at a crossroads and trying to choose the right way. What can be used to help us choose the good way? Pray and ask for direction. Sometimes we think we’re doing the right thing but we’re not. David thought he was when he paraded the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem. He put it on a cart with oxen. As they neared Jerusalem the ox slipped and a man reached out to stablize the ark. Because he touched it, he died. David got upset but God reminded him that directions on how the Ark was to be transported were established and he didn’t follow them.
The prophet Jeremiah never won anyone to the Lord. He laid out God’s plan. He said that if you choose it you’ll find rest for the soul. You can tell the difference in a new and old road. Sometimes it’s still best to go by the old maps. Israel’s main problem was the heathen around them. They were adopting their practices. God’s Word is given to us as a treasure, not as something to sit on the coffee table. The closest you’ll get to God is when you get a good grip on the Word. There’s nothing like the treasure of it.
Look at the verbs: stand, see, ask, walk, and find. This is our responsibility. We recognize the importance. The Old Testament is a light that shows us the right way. The people chose not to do what Jeremiah said. They thought it was okay but it wasn’t.
God expects nothing less in the Old Testament than he does in the New. Look at Hebrews 10:19-20. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.
Here we see the new way. How does it fit in? Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Law and was the new and living way. We’re not excluded. When we call on him we’re included. Through Jesus it is a new way. Have you ever said “I’m tired of the Lord’s blessings?” No! Who goes to the Golden Coral and orders a burger, fries and water? No…you get the buffet. God has the buffet out for us, the new and living way. Who prepared it? It’s consecrated through his flesh. We’re not living under the Law but under God’s grace. The new living way comes from the soul outward when we do what it takes to be saved. We’re justified by his blood and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ the old account of our life is settled.
We have the best. There is no other form of Christianity. Anything else is fake. Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter into heaven. Religion fails. Jesus never fails. Remember what happened when Jesus died. For the first time man could look into the holy of holies. The veil in the temple was torn from the top down to the bottom. It was the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament.
21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
We cannot lose for winning! We’re Savior holders. We can open the treasures of both the Old and New Testaments. We find Jesus in both and it all comes together. Both are treasures and all ours.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 