"You have heard that it was said... But I say to you..." - Matthew 5:43a-44a ESV
Jesus uses this construction several times in the Gospels and it is interesting to me this morning. It kind of reminds me of a cooking show where the chef is cooking for the audience and he is going to present a new spin on an old dish.
The chef is white outfit says to the studio audience, 'How many of you have had french toast before? Raise your hand.' He is beating eggs quickly with a wisk as he asks and the audience is filled with people raising their hands. 'Well. I am about to make you some french toast with a special ingredient. Orange zest!' The audience explodes with applause. 'These are special oranges I grow in my orchard down in Warm-and-Beautiful, FL' The video shifts to a shot of a camera following the chef through his orchard in Florida but you can still hear him whisking the eggs now in time and space.
Jesus has a special ingredient. He has a special perspective. He brings something to the Earthly table that comes from a Heavenly garden.
"And he said to them, 'Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.' " - Matthew 13:52 ESV
Only a person who Is seated above can do this. The scribe is the student. Grace and mercy are Heavenly ingredients that put a new spin on an old concept that people are familiar with. Grace is always fresh.
As Jesus is speaking we get a glimpse of His home and the culture of His home. A 'scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven' brings that culture everywhere they go like an ambassador.
I want to be the person who says, 'You have heard it said... But this is what Jesus says... here is his secret ingredient. He wants you to have it and use it. He wants you to come with Him to Warm-and-Beautiful, FL. It is a real place. You can wander the groves and eat the sweet oranges you pick from His trees.'
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