Friday, August 12, 2011

"New and Old"



 Frances and I often speak of movies we'd like to see again for the first time, "It's a Wonderful Life" being at the top of the list (or at least at the top of my list).
    This leads to a far greater imagining, namely, I'd love to be able to read the Bible again with completely fresh eyes, and with no preconceived notions of the stories, truths and spiritual illuminations contained therein.  Familiarity, while certain not breeding contempt of Scripture, can cause us to approach the Word of God with less wonder than it so rightly deserves.  The Bible's claims are shocking upon first consideration, and the first time reader must surely shake his or her head in bewilderment when presented with seas parted, the sun stopped in its tracks, blind men seeing, and God revealed in the flesh, killed, and then risen again from the dead.  Perhaps most amazing for the trusting heart, "as far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).
   The truth of the matter is that the Bible can remain new for us both now and forevermore.  The Author comes with His holy book, and as we read with a trusting heart, fresh insight into God and His truth shines forth "in the face of Jesus Christ" (II Corinthians 4:6).  Long known precepts unite with heretofore unknown truths to reveal blessed rays of light that warm and invigorate the heart.  Indeed, Scripture need never become stale with over familiarity because  even the most devout believer knows nothing yet as he ought to know (I Corinthians 8:2).  More importantly, an infinite God and infinite Truth await us in the pages of the Bible.
    Our calling is to approach the reading of God's Word with the humility that confesses great need for more light and more vision.  Upon this basis, we then expect the Holy Spirit to gladly reveal the person and work of the Lord Jesus in old ways that need to be remembered, and new ways that need to be learned.  The familiar and the unfamiliar unite to draw us more deeply into that Ocean who depths can never be fully fathomed, and whose horizon beckons us to venture ever onward, ever outward, and ever upward.
"Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old." (Matthew 13:52)

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