SHARING BREAD
51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus
asked.
“Yes,” they replied.
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.”
“Yes,” they replied.
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.”
Matt
13:51-52 (NIV)
Our Lord’s Words in our verses for today are reminiscent of
the Apostle Paul’s when he writes of believers as carrying the exquisite treasure
of the truth of the Gospel in mere frail human jars of clay – cracked clay pots
as vessels of His glory and for His glory:
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”
made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But
we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is
from God and not from us. 2 Cor 4:6-7
(NIV)
“Darkness
is my point of view, my right to myself; light is God’s point of view.” Oswald
Chambers
The Truth sheds light into the hearts of those who walk in
darkness – the light in the believer’s life emanates from the knowledge of
God’s salvation - the very good news of the Gospel. Believers are transformed
by the power of the Holy Spirit enabling them to walk in a manner worthy of the
Gospel and they are to be faithful witnesses of what Jesus has done for them in
both their words and deeds. When a
believer faithfully manifests the fruit of the Spirit – without grieving or
quenching It – the light shines all the brighter. The fruit of the Spirit in the believer’s
life, of course, is the manifestation of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Without the Spirit man is utterly incapable
of understanding Jesus’ person and His works.
When we are fully surrendered to the Spirit, Christ is most magnified as
we are more like Him.
“It
is time that Christians were judged more by their likeness to Christ than by
their notions of Christ.” Lucretia Mott
63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 6:63 (NIV)
14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things
that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he
cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things,
but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct
him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1
Cor 2:14-16 (NIV)
Surely, this good news of the Gospel is given to be shared. We are not to sit soak and sour. Paul presents us clear reasoning for this in
Romans – stating those who bring the good news to others have beautiful feet (and
some of us may be in desperate need of pedicures!):
11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will
never be put to shame.” 12 For
there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all
and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will
be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not
believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is
written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:11-15 (NIV)
Scripture tells us Light always dispels darkness which is perhaps
why we are told to constantly let our lights shine. We do kingdom work much disservice as well as
disservice to our Master when we hide our lights under a bowl and live a life blending
with the world around us. That is not
what Jesus considers bringing up treasures out of the storeroom. Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its
stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before
men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 (NIV)
“To
follow the Savior is to participate in salvation; to follow the light is to
perceive the light.” Irenaeus
When people are in the darkness of sin they lack both the knowledge
of God and the salvation offered and they sadly remain void of the experience
of the abundant life for which He came to freely offer. Those who know Christ have had His light
shine in their darkness and have been given the light of the knowledge of God
in the face of Jesus as well as the opportunity and responsibility of sharing
it albeit God ever remains responsible
for the results. The source of the
Gospel and its all surpassing power is from the hand of God. Salvation being the work of God not man.
What I glean from this:
· As a
believer, I carry treasure in my jar of clay.
· I am to
manifest the fruit of the Spirit in my life and not quench or grieve It.
· I am not
to hide the light of Christ in my life nor should that even occur to me.
