Nougat 20

There are times when Y’shua offers such profound statements, that are challenging to grasp. I suspect that Todays Holy Nougat is one such.

“Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like . I a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭52‬ ‭NLT‬‬

New Gems

You might have asked yourself, ‘Why would a teacher of the Law need to become a disciple? After all, In their tradition, wasn’t it the Teacher of the Law who defended the tenets of the faith? If we recall their interactions with Y’shua, He was often being chastised for disregarding the Law. It was a really big deal to them, since being under the yoke of colonialism (aka ‘Pax Romana’) was interpreted as manifestation of God’s judgement. The easiest, perhaps only, solution the teachers of the Law found was becoming more devout, as it was believed that perfect adherence to the Law provided scope for God’s grace.

The challenge with their logic was the devotion to the Law soon became mere ritual rather than true repentance. More so, as it was devotion to principles, rather than relationship with our Savior. It was a major sticking point. So you might recall arguments that ensued from the teachers’ views about people being healed on the Sabbath, on tithes and taxes, marriage and divorce, adultery and other sundry issues. What was often missing was the compassion that translates in loving neighbor as self.

Self-Check

-How is our relationship with Y’shua? Has it been diminished to rituals void of Love, or is it about continued interaction through prayer, reading the Word and actions that reflect our Faith?

– Are we zealous teachers of the faith?

– Can others learn about Christ from our lifestyle?

Application

It is true that the Teachers of the Law were more obsessed with the letter of the Law than with the Creator of the Law. Yet, it was their passion towards the Law that offered Y’shua hope. Remember Saul’s zeal? When that zeal was honed, he was able to transform lives, establishing and strengthening communities of disciples of Christ. His zeal was so redefined that he preferred to use his other name, Paul.

We definitely see from the epistles that bear his signature, that he was about the business of connecting the Law to new life in Christ. That is a clear example of old and new gems strengthening the new believers then and providing us today with concrete teachings on the Faith. (And no, I didn’t use Y’shua because He wasn’t a typical teacher of the Law). The same could be said of Peter, James, John and possibly Nicodemus (who was a secret disciple).

We are thankful for the Law and the foundation it offers for our Faith. The life and teachings of Y’shua complement the Law, offering us life in fullness if we receive His offer. That assures me that we also can find renewal when we lose our way. True, it is slightly different from being a teacher of the Law who experiences grace; but we do tend toward greater sharing of solid truths after a season of recommitment.

Assignment

Read Acts 7- 9 which summarizes Saul/Paul’s story. Consider it in light of the epistles such as Romans, Corinthians, or Philippians. Can you see the gems, old and new? How do they strengthen our Faith?

If you’ve had new insights from God share it. Someone’s life may be the better for it.

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May all we seek be found in Christ