And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”  Matt. 13:52

In high school, my toughest subject was science. I thought I just wasn’t wired to understand it, but looking back, the teacher was checked out. He didn’t show that he cared about science at all. He was dispassionate. As an adult, I discovered that I enjoy exploring the science of things. I’m a curious person who loves to learn, and I can’t stand not knowing how to do something.  

Every great teacher brings what matters to life. Jesus did this by telling parables. He took ancient truths about the kingdom of God and revived them by re-framing them into stories. Through these, He provided people with history and context. And there was never a more passionate teacher than He was when defending those truths with His life.     

In this specific parable, Jesus emphasized the role of scribes in the kingdom of heaven. Scribes—who served as teachers and interpreters of the law—were likened to the heads of a household who manage and care for their valued possessions. Scribes trained and equipped with spiritual knowledge share a similar responsibility and privilege, drawing from both the old and the new. 

The “old” refers to the traditions, teachings, and wisdom of the past, while the “new” represents the fresh revelations that arise from understanding God’s kingdom in today’s context. Jesus wants us to know that heritage is important, but so is contextualization.  It’s up to teachers to help us process both of these, and the weight of this holy calling is borne by the one who conceived it ~ the Holy Spirit of God.

You’ve called me to teach.  Help me learn more but also empower me to share wisdom that resonates with our times. Amen