They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’” Luke 5:33–39
According to Grok, “Jesus responds to criticism about his disciples not fasting by comparing his presence to a bridegroom’s celebration, predicting future fasting after his departure, and using parables of garments and wineskins to illustrate that his new teachings cannot be patched onto old religious practices.”
Jesus is the bridegroom and while his disciples were with him, they had no need to fast, to mourn his departure and to await his return. He is also doing something new among us. Yet the best wine is the old wine, not the new. Though some cling to the old wine of tradition, Jesus brings the true new wine—His Spirit—that renews everything. This could be confusing for some and the mixing of metaphors doesn’t make it easier.
Jesus is doing a new thing as Israel’s bridegroom, their Savior and Messiah. The religious leaders are watching Jesus and whereas his disciples are not following the strict religious customs, Jesus is conveying that they do not have to. Jesus is bringing about a new covenant of love rather than obedience to the law. He is the new garment and he is the new wine. He is bringing all things new.
Last night we had our second time of worship at the Revive Men’s Retreat and God did new works among us. As we worshipped him, listened to the word proclaimed and prayed over brothers battling sickness, struggle and pain, Jesus entered the room and turned our enduring into praising. Even though as we began the night I had no idea the direction, I waited, trusted, and God did not fail to show up.
He turned our mourning into dancing and our struggles into celebration. He brought forth a new garment of praise and new wine for the wineskins. Christ is among us doing a new and mighty work.
Would you continue to pray for us and our time together? That we might meet face to face with Jesus as the bridegroom and find healing in his love.
“O Lord God, you are so faithful. Even when my love fails, your love remains steadfast. In the mountains in Colorado, on this retreat, you join us in Spirit and in Truth. Come now, Holy One, keep my eyes focused on you the author and perfecter of my faith. I love you Lord and praise your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amenfaith. I love you Lord and praise your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen