Old and New

 Old and New

October 24, 2025

Matthew 13:51-52

51 “Have you understood all these things?” They *said to Him, “Yes.” 52 And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Yesterday we were talking about how all scripture is profitable and useful. A frequent question about this is, “But aren’t parts of the Old Testament obsolete and not applicable to our times?”  

This brings to mind my shop. In my shop there are hundreds of tools. I inherited many from my father, and from my father-in-law and others from Uncle John. There are also new tools that I have purchased myself for a special application. Do I use all these tools every day. No. In fact, there are some old tools that I have never used, not because they are not useful, but because I don’t know how to use them. My father-in-law was a machinist so there are some specialized tools that I would need training to use. It’s not the tool’s fault, it’s my ignorance and lack of proper training that prevents me from using them. 

I think it is the same with scripture. It is all profitable but there may be parts that we don’t understand fully. We need to study and have some expert teachers to help us understand these scriptures. So don’t dismiss parts of scripture out of hand just because you don’t understand them. In Matthew 13, Jesus was teaching with many parables, and then he asked his disciples if they understood. They replied that they did, so he commends them as a wise scribe who brings out of his treasure both new and old. We need new inspiration, but don’t discard the old teachings just because they are old and you don’t understand them. Ask the Holy Spirit for knowledge and wisdom and you will find that all scripture is inspired and useful for bringing in the kingdom of God. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/okE18nNX4sfYX4iB6

Photo of Father-in-law in the shop.