John the Baptist’s disciples come to Jesus asking why they and the Pharisees fast but Jesus’s disciples do not. (Matt 9:14-17)

The Pharisees fasted for religious show (which is never the right reason). John’s disciples fasted to draw near to God, but Jesus explains in verse 15 that there was no need for His disciples to do this for they were indeed with the bridegroom.

THE Bridegroom.

Here, Jesus was declaring His deity. He is the long-awaited Messiah. He is Emmanuel, God with us!

He told John’s disciples there would come a time when He would be taken away from them and fasting would be something they should do then. (Fasting is beneficial for Christians now).

Then, Jesus goes on to explain that He is changing things as they have known them. He says, “But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved (9:17)

The Enduring Word app explains, “Jesus’ reference to the wineskins was His announcement that the present institutions of Judaism could not and would not contain His new wine. He would form a new institution – the church – that would bring Jew and Gentile together into a completely new body (Ephesians 2:16).”

This was radical for the Jews to hear. It was outrageous to the Pharisees.

A Holy God would come for Gentiles, lepers, those possessed by demons, those caught up in adultery, and more!

Jesus came to make all things NEW! He came to raise the dead—and not just the physically dead but the spiritually dead.

He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6)!

Hope is found for all who run to His open arms.

All.
Please hear that word, “all.”

Jesus came for ALL and no one has out-sinned His ability to forgive them and use them for Kingdom work!

AND being in His will, and walking in His way is the very best place one could ever be! For that’s where the peace is that exceeds any circumstance of this life!!

readMatthew

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