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Old Wisdom, New Applications

Old Wisdom, New Applications

Last updated on: July 23, 2026 at 11:47 am by Herb Montgomery

Old Wisdom, New Applications 2026-07-23T11:47:10-04:00 Herb Montgomery

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In the next parable, about the pearl of great price, Jesus teaches that his vision of just world for all is worth sacrificing everything to obtain. The pearl symbolizes Jesus’ vision of a world where every person is valued, justice prevails, and every person’s humanity is restored from degrading injustice. Unlike man with the hidden treasure, the merchant is actively searching, which suggests that Jesus followers are called to intentionally seek God’s just future and the truth-telling it requires rather than passively wait to discover it.

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Part 2 of the two part series Parables of Justice, Compassion, and Inclusion

(Read this series from its beginning here.)

The merchant’s willingness to sell everything demonstrates the radical commitment required to live by the values of Jesus’ kingdom of justice and compassion. Pursuing justice often means challenging systems of inequality, sharing resources generously, and placing the needs of others above personal wealth or social status. Jesus emphasizes that this kind of world, where everyone has what they need to thrive and no one has too much while others go without, is so valuable that no earthly possession or privilege can compare.

This parable also reminds justice seekers that true wealth is not measured by material success but by faithful participation in the work of love and justice. Those who recognize the incomparable value of a world shaped in the form of justice willingly invest their lives in serving the poor, defending the oppressed, and promoting peace. In doing so, they discover that God’s just future for humans is the greatest treasure. It offers lasting hope and transforms individuals and society through God’s redeeming love, and it manifests in justice, safety, and compassion for every person.

Lastly, Jesus’ parable of the fishing net presents Jesus’ vision for a just future: it is radically inclusive. The net gathers “all kinds of fish,” which symbolizes the invitation for every person regardless of social status, ethnicity, gender, race, orientation, identity, or background to be a part of Jesus’ diverse community. No one is excluded from the offer to participate in Jesus’ kingdom.” This challenges communities today that exclude people based on privilege, race, class, gender, or orientation, and reminds Jesus followers that we are to be about building communities where all are genuinely welcomed and treated with dignity.

The separation of the good fish from the bad is a problematic portion of this parable. As we covered last week, bad fruit always results from the moment we define someone else as a “bad fish” that will one day be “thrown out.” Human beings are often tempted to judge others based on their own inherent conscious and unconscious biases. But Jesus teaches that final judgment will belong to the Divine alone. Those who exploit the poor, oppress or marginalize the vulnerable, or practice injustice will ultimately be held accountable. At the same time, in this vision of the future, those who pursue righteousness, mercy, and compassion will be vindicated. Note, too, the metaphor“gnashing of teeth.” In scripture, this metaphor is always used to denote anger, not suffering. People gnash their teeth when they witness the inclusion of people they think should not be included. This intrinsically excludes them from generous inclusion, and so they gnash their teeth with anger.

The parable encourages us to live lives marked by justice, honesty, and love while resisting systems of oppression and exclusion. Jesus’ vision of justice welcomes all to join in a community shaped by justice, compassion, and safety for all.

Jesus ends this passage with “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.” This saying highlights the importance of preserving time-tested truths while we respond creatively to the changing needs of society. The “old treasures” represent the wisdom of communities gone before us, our sacred texts, and the timeless command to love God and one’s neighbor. The “new treasures” symbolize the fresh understanding that Jesus followers bring to our world now: Jesus’ followers are called to apply the principles of the gospels in ways that promote justice, mercy, and inclusion today.

The Gospels call Jesus followers today to courageously address contemporary forms of injustice such as poverty, racism, misogyny, discrimination, environmental degradation, economic inequality, LGBTQ bigotry, and more.

Faithfulness, in our context, is not simply preserving tradition but also allowing Jesus’ teachings to continue to inspire new responses to human suffering and social challenges. We are entrusted with using wisdom we have inherited and the wisdom in marginalized and vulnerable communities to build communities marked by compassion, equality, and peace.

Jesus teaches that authentic discipleship combines respect for the wisdom of the past and honesty about where those in the past got it wrong. With openness to transformation, every generation pursuing justice can remain rooted in the enduring values we’ve learned from the Jesus story.

Begin each day being inspired toward love, compassion, justice and action. Free.

General Christian

Politics and Religion

About Herb Montgomery

Herb Montgomery, director of Renewed Heart Ministries, is an author and adult religious educator helping Christians explore the intersection of their faith with love, compassion, action, and societal justice. You can read more about the author here.

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Parables of Justice, Compassion, and Inclusion

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