Matthew 9: 14-17
Story & Lessons
Some of the disciples of John the Baptist and of the Pharisees saw the happiness and feasting at the house of Matthew.
They were puzzled that the disciples of Jesus did not fast.
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They asked Him, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?"
He replied that fasting was inappropriate for His disciples, comparing His presence on earth with a wedding feast.
*******
A Jewish wedding in Bible times was a very festive time.
The couple who were married did not go away for a honeymoon but stayed at home.
An open house was kept and the bridegroom and his bride were treated like royalty as their closest friends shared all the joy and feasting of the week.
*******
The Lord Jesus was comparing Himself to the bridegroom and His disciples to the bridegroom's closest friends.
How could they fast and mourn?
They were with the Almighty Son of God.
... They were seeing corrupt tax officials like Matthew coming to faith in Christ and their lives completely transformed.
... There was daily rejoicing over sinners repenting.
*******
The Lord Jesus went on to speak of the bridegroom being taken away (15).
He was speaking of His death on the cross.
*******
Jesus said that a new cloth patch would soon pull away from an old garment as it shrunk in the wash.
New wine would burst an old wineskin as it fermented because the old wineskin could not stretch like a new one.
*******
We are not saved by patching up our lives with good works.
*******
When a man or woman is saved by grace, they are a new creation in Christ and the old things have passed away.
*******
The garments of the old life are replaced with the garments of salvation.
*******
The new wine of salvation must be poured into the new strong wineskins of joyful thanksgiving and sacrificial service which glorifies God.
Story & Lessons
Some of the disciples of John the Baptist and of the Pharisees saw the happiness and feasting at the house of Matthew.
They were puzzled that the disciples of Jesus did not fast.
*******
They asked Him, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?"
He replied that fasting was inappropriate for His disciples, comparing His presence on earth with a wedding feast.
*******
A Jewish wedding in Bible times was a very festive time.
The couple who were married did not go away for a honeymoon but stayed at home.
An open house was kept and the bridegroom and his bride were treated like royalty as their closest friends shared all the joy and feasting of the week.
*******
The Lord Jesus was comparing Himself to the bridegroom and His disciples to the bridegroom's closest friends.
How could they fast and mourn?
They were with the Almighty Son of God.
... They were seeing corrupt tax officials like Matthew coming to faith in Christ and their lives completely transformed.
... There was daily rejoicing over sinners repenting.
*******
The Lord Jesus went on to speak of the bridegroom being taken away (15).
He was speaking of His death on the cross.
*******
Jesus said that a new cloth patch would soon pull away from an old garment as it shrunk in the wash.
New wine would burst an old wineskin as it fermented because the old wineskin could not stretch like a new one.
*******
We are not saved by patching up our lives with good works.
*******
When a man or woman is saved by grace, they are a new creation in Christ and the old things have passed away.
*******
The garments of the old life are replaced with the garments of salvation.
*******
The new wine of salvation must be poured into the new strong wineskins of joyful thanksgiving and sacrificial service which glorifies God.
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