Do you ever come across a verse that you know you have read a hundred times, and yet have never truly seen it? I love it when that happens. I have a recurring dream where I discover a new room in my house that I never realized was there. (How cool would that be?) When I stumble across one of these verses that jump off the page and make me wonder why I haven’t noticed them before, It feels a lot like discovering a new room in my house after years of living there. It’s so cool. 

It happened to me today, and I wanted to give you a quick tour of this new room in my house, because I love it so much. In Matthew 13, Jesus is telling the disciples all about the kingdom of God in a series of little parables. I’m sure you have heard them all before- it is like a mustard seed that grows into a tree, like a treasure hidden in a field, like a pearl of great price, like a net full of good and bad fish, like a field full of weeds and wheat. 

After all of the examples, Jesus asks the disciples, “Have you understood all these things?” (vs. 51). There are many times when the disciples ask completely idiotic questions which make me groan and roll my eyes, but this is one time that their simple answer, “yes” has me shaking my head and wishing they had asked for a little more clarification. I feel like there is so much here, just flitting under the surface, teasing me with quick glimpses before darting away. Just when I think I grasp the fullness contained in these verses, it slips through my fingers. 

But the disciples disappoint me and don’t ask any questions. On this rare occasion, they seem satisfied. But Jesus responds to their affirmation in a way that I have previously overlooked, “Therefore, every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (vs. 52).

When we understand and experience the kingdom of God at work in our own lives, we are compelled to share it with others. And when people visit the home of our life, we can’t wait to bring out all of the treasures that demonstrate His love displayed in our life story. We bring out the old treasures, well-loved and worn from frequent reminiscing. Some of my old treasures include answered prayers for a job, a spouse, a family, and a purpose, promises kept in seasons of grief, loss, and waiting, and adventures down roads I never would have dared to venture on my own. I have recounted these old treasures over and over, an act of piling stones in a great memorial to God’s unfailing faithfulness. 

But it doesn’t end with the old treasures. I was right! It really is like discovering a new room in my house. We have the joy and anticipation of uncovering new treasures continually throughout our walk with Christ. Day by day, step of faith by hesitant step of faith, God is placing new treasures into our storerooms for us to share with others. New acts of redemption, new demonstrations of faithfulness in the midst of trials, new and deeper understanding of His Word with each gleaning. He is making all things new! 

What new act is God doing in your life? What new lesson is He teaching you? What new mercies is He pouring over you this morning? And more importantly, who are you sharing these treasures with?

“Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:52).

I would love to know- what’s new with you?