Today’s scripture: Matthew 13:52-53 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Kevin Konkle):
While doing some spring cleaning, I recently decided to get rid of some pieces of furniture that I really didn’t need any more and could use the cash by selling them. One of the pieces I decided to get rid of was my grandfather clock. I love it. It is beautiful and elegant even though it is 25 years old. While I was getting ready to post it online to sell, my 18 year old son quickly begged me not to sell it and to let him have it. He told me that growing up in my house, even as a young boy, he always was fascinated by that clock and its old Westminster chimes. I was pleasantly surprised that my son had formed such a sentimental bond to this wonderful clock, and I happily gave it to him with instructions on its care.
The other day I walked into his entertainment room filled with HD flat screen televisions, Xboxes, some of the latest technological wizardry you can imagine. Standing tall next to all the modern day, high tech, electric powered gadgets, stands my old grandfather clock with its pendulum swinging and its chimes singing. It was quite refreshing seeing the old next to the new, the ancient next to the modern. No, my son doesn’t want to give up all his new gadgets to go back and live in a time with no internet during the grandfather clock’s heyday. However, he enjoys having some old and new, and it balances out his perspective on life.
This portion of the scripture reminds me of that. We have both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. As believers, we must always allow the Spirit to direct us to any portion of the Word that is fit for our encouragement and at times correction. Are we glad that the Old Testament laws were nailed to the cross? Yes! However there are some wonderful parables and stories in the Old Testament that we can rely on and draw strength from. The same is true with the New Testament. Everything we read is not necessarily for the church today, but just as my old grandfather clock did for my son, it can give us a thankfulness for where we had been as a people, now justified by Jesus’ love!
Prayer for the day: Creator, help us to appreciate both the old and new things not only in your Word, but in our lives. For each has intrinsic value and can give us a perspective direct from your throne. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.