relationships (Mark 2:18-28) It's Not About Appearances

(Mark 2:18-28)

18 John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “While the groom is with them, the attendants of the groom cannot fast, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast, on that day.

21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

23 And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26 how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

God did not institute the Sabbath in order to make us miserable, or for us to draw attention to what we do or not do.  It was and is intended for us to put our attention on God, and all that He has done, is doing, and will do.  Yet somehow, people still think that they have to make everything into a religion.

God also instituted an annual corporate time of fasting on the Day of Atonement, with the focus to be on "atoning" for sins committed;  therefore, fasting is to accompany one's humble prayers of penitence.  But the religious Pharisees had added many other fasts, fasting up to twice a week, even periodically refusing to drink water.  Their focus was not on the condition of their hearts, but on "spiritual appearances", and trying to maintain their power, and trying to control the people.  It's clear that they didn't understand what fasting is truly about, because instead of being humbly penitent, they were arrogantly judging others according to their own personal rules and regulations.  

People create religions, setting up rigid rules and sets of structures and rituals to follow, in efforts to somehow earn favor among others, and earn one's way to God and to heaven.  But, to get to God and heaven, one must be holy (perfect).  In our own strength, wisdom and efforts, this is impossible.  

Instead of religiously trying to patch a hole on a threadbare piece of clothing with a new piece of cloth --- Jesus wants to clothe us with His righteousness through His salvation...  

(Galatians 3:27)  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Instead of religiously trying to pour new wine into an old wineskin which will burst --- Jesus wants to make us a brand new creation, filling us with His indwelling Holy Spirit of promise...

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

As well, in our salvation, we are part of the Church, which is referred to as the bride, and Jesus as the groom (2Corinthians 11:1-2, Revelation 21;2).  And having this personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, we can celebrate in Him, and with Him!  He has set us free from sin, death and the law!  And while here on earth, because of God's grace and faithfulness, we cannot lose our salvation.  So while we strive in God's will, not because we have to, but because we want to, in His strength and wisdom, it is all to God's glory.  This is what pleases the Lord!