Hidden Treasures
Matthew 13:52
New International Version 1984
(NIV1984)
52 He said to them,
“Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed
about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his
storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
As I thought
about this verse I had to wonder exactly what Jesus meant by this passage. Since Jesus begins with “therefore” I had to
go back and look at the previous verses that I covered in my last blog. Jesus was talking about the man that found
the treasure and the pearl. How one sold
everything in order to buy the field with the treasure and another one sold
everything in order to purchase a pearl.
Let’s first
look at who He is speaking of, “the teacher of the law”. Many students do not realize that their
teacher had to be a student before they could teach. I think some of them are oblivious to the
fact that their teachers had to learn before they could teach. As I looked at scripture regarding “teachers
of the law” I came across Acts 5:
33-39 33 When they heard this,
they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the
people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a
little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of
Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be
somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his
followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band
of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave
these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human
origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God,
you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting
against God.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205:33-39&version=NIV1984) This teacher of the law had seen people come
and go that were not of God but now is counseling the others to not fight with
God. If this is not God then it will soon
end was his counsel. This man knew the
law full well and knew that blasphemy was punishable by death yet he encouraged
the people to let these men of God go. I
believe that he must have had insight to the Kingdom of Heaven because he
brought out a concept that others must not have thought about, they could be
fighting against God and they sure didn’t want to do that!
Let’s look at
another place where the teachers of the law are mentioned. This time they are interacting with Jesus. It was several years prior to Jesus saying
the words as recorded in Matthew 13 , around 20 years in fact when Jesus was a
mere boy of twelve. The account can be found
in Luke 2: 41 -47. 41 Every year his
parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the
Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the
Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed
behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began
looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts,
sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his
understanding and his answers.( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:%2041%20-%2047&version=NIV1984) Jesus, the Son of God is sitting with some
men who are teaching him but the funny thing is, even at twelve years of age,
He is the one teaching them. He was
asking questions and understanding concepts that were even difficult for them
to answer or understand. Do you think
the Kingdom of God was revealed to these teachers at that time? Even though these were teachers of the law
they were amazed at the knowledge of a twelve year old boy. That same boy grew and became strong and was
full of wisdom (Luke 2:40). This young boy not only brought new ideas, He
brought hope to His people. He showed
His love to everyone including those who were not Jews, the poor, the needy,
the downcast, brokenhearted, and He didn’t teach just one concept, the law, but
He taught that loving God was above all the most important commandment and
loving your neighbor was the second most important law. He changed the outcome of all of our lives by
His presence on this earth. He gave
everything in order to bring glory to the Father and to bring salvation to each
of us.
If we have
obtained the pearl or the treasure in the field we should be great students who
can teach others about this amazing Son of Man.
If we read our Bibles we will learn many new concepts that are not
really new at all but somehow keep getting hidden in the Word. You can never know everything in the Bible so
my challenge to you is to read it and find some treasures that pertain to the
Kingdom of Heaven or any other subject you feel the Lord would want you to search. You will find in the Word many hidden
treasures just waiting to be found. Seek
Him with all your heart and learn something new about our Heavenly Father and
the Kingdom of Heaven, as you search His word.
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