WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.779 So Luke chapter 5, and the last thing we read about there was how Jesus called Levi, also known as Matthew, to be one of his disciples. 00:00:09.120 --> 00:00:14.859 And we read about how Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house. 00:00:15.939 --> 00:00:25.560 And the guests were Levi's fellow tax collectors and others deemed sinners by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. 00:00:25.559 --> 00:00:32.799 And we heard the question, which is really a statement that the Pharisees made to Jesus' disciples. 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:36.519 Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? 00:00:38.479 --> 00:00:44.179 And Jesus told them, it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 00:00:45.060 --> 00:00:49.480 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 00:00:49.479 --> 00:00:56.299 Let's continue the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees in verse 33. 00:00:58.459 --> 00:01:00.719 The Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:07.359 John's disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:10.519 But yours go on eating and drinking. 00:01:13.099 --> 00:01:15.140 What are the Pharisees saying here? 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:24.560 They are comparing the disciples of John the Baptizer and their own disciples with the disciples of Jesus. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:27.219 And they are making an accusation here. 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:35.460 They are saying, we know that John's disciples are devoted to God because they fast. 00:01:35.599 --> 00:01:37.519 They deny themselves food and drink. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:42.479 We know that we are devoted to God because our disciples fast. 00:01:43.159 --> 00:01:45.159 We deny ourselves food and drink. 00:01:45.979 --> 00:01:47.299 But look at your disciples. 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:49.219 Look at you. 00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:54.799 Stuffing your faces with food and chugging down the drinks with these sinners. 00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:04.159 The Pharisees are accusing Jesus and his disciples of being immoral, gluttons, and drunkards. 00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:08.900 Just like some of the guests at Levi's party may have actually been. 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:13.300 And we hear a bit of confirmation that this is what they are thinking. 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:19.319 A little later in Luke's Gospel, when we get to chapter 7, Jesus says this about their remarks. 00:02:20.519 --> 00:02:22.180 Chapter 7, verse 33. 00:02:22.180 --> 00:02:27.180 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine. 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:28.719 And you say, he has a demon. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:31.879 The son of man came eating and drinking. 00:02:32.139 --> 00:02:34.919 And you say, here's a glutton and a drunkard. 00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:37.379 A friend of tax collectors and sinners. 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:43.719 And Jesus is making a point there about their attitude towards him. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:47.419 They are poised to find fault with Jesus. 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:51.520 No matter what he and his disciples do. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:57.460 Here Jesus is having a banquet as Matthew's guest of honor. 00:02:57.640 --> 00:03:03.540 And they're accusing him and his disciples of failing to fast and pray like they do. 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:10.420 It's also worth mentioning here what we know about the Pharisees and how they fasted. 00:03:10.419 --> 00:03:20.019 Jesus, much later in Luke chapter 18, verse 12, will tell a parable about a self-righteous Pharisee and a tax collector who both prayed. 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:22.299 And how each of them prayed. 00:03:22.419 --> 00:03:26.359 And listen to how Jesus describes the prayer of the Pharisee in his parable. 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:28.179 He says, 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:51.420 We're going to look more closely at that parable of Jesus when we get to it. 00:03:51.419 --> 00:03:57.259 But for now we notice the mention of how the Pharisees fasted routinely twice a week. 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:01.439 The primary day for going to the synagogue was the Sabbath day. 00:04:01.979 --> 00:04:09.399 But the Pharisees advocated for a tradition of also going on Mondays and Thursdays and fasting on each of those days. 00:04:10.279 --> 00:04:18.039 So the kind of fasting referred to here is not the Day of Atonement fast or of grieving in tragic and desperate times. 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:21.960 This is routine, weekly religious fasting. 00:04:23.140 --> 00:04:29.700 And the Pharisees are accusing Jesus' disciples of failing to fast and pray like they do. 00:04:30.620 --> 00:04:34.960 Perhaps Levi's banquet for Jesus was even held on a Monday or a Thursday. 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:38.600 Let's hear Jesus' response to this. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:40.700 Verse 34. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:42.020 Jesus answered, 00:04:42.019 --> 00:04:48.500 Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 00:04:51.579 --> 00:04:58.000 I'm always amazed at how Jesus can say so much, so brilliantly with so few words. 00:04:58.719 --> 00:05:01.839 He responds to them with a simple question. 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:09.060 Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:14.280 Now there's a whole cultural difference between weddings the way we do them and back then. 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:17.959 So let me just translate that question into our cultural context. 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:23.899 Can you expect the bridal party to abstain from eating and drinking at the wedding reception? 00:05:23.899 --> 00:05:43.079 In other words, fasting, abstaining from food only fits, it only makes sense in times of grief, in times of mourning, in times of loss, or desperation, or longing. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:47.279 You don't fast in a time of celebration. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:52.759 Can you imagine if it was your birthday on Saturday and all your friends said, 00:05:52.979 --> 00:05:57.059 This year, instead of planning a party for you, we're going to stay home and fast and pray for you. 00:05:58.199 --> 00:05:59.079 You'd be thinking, 00:05:59.619 --> 00:06:02.899 What do they see in me that's so terribly wrong? 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:07.579 There is a time to celebrate. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:13.339 There is a time to feast, to eat and to drink, to kill the fattened calf. 00:06:13.339 --> 00:06:20.479 That's why none of my disciples are fasting, says Jesus, because that time is now. 00:06:21.899 --> 00:06:24.119 Think of this from the disciples' perspective. 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:30.299 For centuries, they've been awaiting the Messiah that God had promised so long ago. 00:06:31.059 --> 00:06:32.799 And now, here he is. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:36.739 And he's doing all these wonderful signs and miracles. 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:42.240 He's healing people of all kinds of things, even lifelong disabilities. 00:06:43.220 --> 00:06:45.319 He's casting demons out of people. 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:48.160 Multiplying bread. 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:50.720 Miraculous catches of fish. 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:51.879 Walking on water. 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:54.139 Jesus' disciples are ecstatic. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:07:00.800 They're overwhelmed with excited joy, day after day, as they watch all this. 00:07:00.900 --> 00:07:02.560 This is a time for celebration. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:07.000 This is the time to kill the fattened calf, just like Levi has done. 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:14.980 To abstain from food and drink at this time is altogether inappropriate and unfitting. 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:19.399 And so what the Pharisees are saying here is downright dirty. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:23.759 The disciples of Jesus, they're doing exactly what they should be. 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:26.560 They're welcoming Jesus the way that they should be. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:30.399 They're celebrating their Messiah who has finally come. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:39.240 And the Pharisees are denouncing them as immoral, gluttons, drunkards, partying with greedy and wealthy sinners. 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:45.180 When you should be showing your devotion to God and fasting today like we are. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:54.019 So with this one simple question, Jesus basically rebukes their hypocritical religiosity. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:57.160 And at the same time, he tells them this simple truth. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:00.120 Now is the time to celebrate. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:02.560 Now is the time to feast. 00:08:02.660 --> 00:08:04.759 And you guys are missing it. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:09.560 The bridegroom is here. 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:20.079 We notice as we go on a little bit in verse 35 though, that there is a time coming for fasting. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:25.660 Jesus says, but the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:28.980 In those days, they will fast. 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:32.519 Jesus speaks prophetically here. 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:41.240 And as we reflect on this, it's not explicitly clear when exactly Jesus is referring to. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:45.939 When will Jesus be taken away from his disciples? 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:52.860 The first moment that came to my mind was when he was taken away from them in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:08:53.579 --> 00:08:58.460 Very physically and visibly taken away from them the night before he died. 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:03.080 And the events leading up to his death were awful. 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:07.600 That was certainly a time for fasting and praying. 00:09:09.420 --> 00:09:13.620 In fact, Jesus even urged his disciples that night just before it happened, pray. 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:15.040 Keep watch. Pray. 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:23.160 We might also think to the moment that Jesus died on the cross and the days which followed. 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:28.160 There's certainly a sense in which Jesus was taken away from them by his death. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:35.060 And we know from the Gospels that it was a time of great sorrow for Jesus' followers. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:42.580 Certainly an occasion for fasting, if they even had any appetite for food at all. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:50.480 But then, all of that was interrupted and ended by Jesus' resurrection on the third day. 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:53.540 Suddenly the bridegroom was with them again. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:57.240 And their grief completely melted away and turned to joy. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:04.159 So was Jesus only talking about how they would fast in the future around the time of his death? 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:11.460 Another moment when Jesus is taken away from them occurred 40 days after his resurrection. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:14.279 When Jesus was taken up to heaven. 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:17.340 Is this the moment Jesus meant? 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:24.340 There's certainly a sense in which Jesus was removed from them and no longer with them as he was before. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:32.660 Did the disciples all go back into Jerusalem and abstain from food and drink for the next number of days? 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:35.840 Sad that Jesus had been taken away from them to heaven. 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:37.920 Possibly. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:47.240 But we also don't see anything in the accounts of Jesus ascending to heaven that suggests it was a time of sorrow or grief for the disciples. 00:10:49.579 --> 00:10:53.079 Perhaps they even saw Jesus' ascension as an occasion to celebrate. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:54.579 Much like the resurrection. 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:58.979 A great miraculous entrance of their Lord into heaven. 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:01.199 Until he should return. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:06.820 So it's not easy to pin down exactly when Jesus is referring to here. 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:09.000 When would they fast? 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:15.020 Even if we see Jesus' ascension into heaven as the moment that he was taken from them. 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:19.780 There's also the wonderful moment of the spirit of Jesus being poured out on them. 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:21.379 And coming to live inside of them. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:23.660 Not long after at Pentecost. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:26.320 Which was certainly an occasion of joy. 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:38.100 Or was this fasting that Jesus spoke of tied only to the difficult moments that they would later face in Jesus' absence? 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:41.300 Perhaps coming moments of persecution. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:44.060 Or difficult decisions. 00:11:45.180 --> 00:11:48.940 When they had a longing for Christ to be present with them physically. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.660 As he used to be. 00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:55.880 And so one of the challenges that we face today as Christians is simply understanding. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:59.500 What place should fasting have in our lives? 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:06.019 It's challenging in part because fasting is not even at all a part of our culture today. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.700 Like it was in theirs. 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:10.100 It's not part of the weekly routine. 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:12.299 As it was for the Pharisees. 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:15.000 It's not even part of how we typically mourn. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.820 Like it was back then. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.440 Take a modern day funeral for example. 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:22.340 There's still grief. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:24.220 There are still tears. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:24.840 There are still tears. 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:26.460 But then what do we do at the end? 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:28.500 We eat and drink together. 00:12:29.560 --> 00:12:32.259 We do the exact opposite of what they did back then. 00:12:33.540 --> 00:12:36.399 They would abstain from food and drink when someone died. 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:38.259 They would fast as part of their grieving. 00:12:38.920 --> 00:12:41.960 But we actually put on a meal for all the guests who have come. 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:45.759 And many see it as a celebration of the life of that person. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:48.740 Rather than simply an occasion of loss. 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:55.180 And so it's challenging to figure out what place should this practice have in our lives. 00:12:55.580 --> 00:13:00.180 Not only that but fasting at its best in the Bible is a very God-focused activity. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:03.060 It's almost always accompanied by prayer. 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:05.799 Or by a request or a petition of some sort. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:09.940 And we don't see anything like that in our culture today. 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:15.840 The only kind of fasting we see is maybe before a surgery for medical reasons. 00:13:16.140 --> 00:13:20.860 Or in a time of really deep grief where an appetite is lost. 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:25.300 But there's no turning to God in our culture. 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:28.520 It's not done for reasons that are spiritual at all. 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:32.259 And then the question is further complicated. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:37.100 When we look at everything in the Bible about fasting and what it says. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:40.460 We see that it was often done in a way that displeased God. 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:47.480 The way Jesus describes it in the parable with the Pharisee and the tax collector. 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:52.019 You know it seems like it's become a heartless expression of religiosity. 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:58.179 A way for the self-righteous to pride themselves in their devotion to God compared to others. 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:04.679 There's even one major passage in Isaiah where God actually tells the people enough with your fasting. 00:14:05.299 --> 00:14:07.500 Stop it. I don't want to see that anymore. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:17.120 We could add to this the reality that nowhere in the New Testament are Christians commanded to fast. 00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:23.600 It's spoken of in a few places as something that was done or that may be done. 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:28.340 One of these days it would be good for us to just sit down together. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:30.280 And dig deeper into the issue. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:32.160 Seek the Lord's heart on this matter. 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:34.519 Should we fast as Christians? 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.580 And if so, when? 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.820 On what occasions? 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:43.519 What's the right heart attitude to have when we fast? 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:47.920 And what's the heart attitude that we should not have when we fast? 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:57.539 But for today as we look at this passage, the main point of Jesus here is that for his disciples at this time, fasting was inappropriate. 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:01.579 He gave the wedding analogy. 00:15:01.959 --> 00:15:03.240 The bridegroom is here. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:07.799 And now Jesus moves on to give a couple more illustrations to make the point. 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.879 Verse 36. 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:12.439 He told them this parable. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:18.140 No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:22.220 Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment. 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:26.960 And the patch from the new will not match the old. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:31.680 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:35.879 Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins. 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:39.340 The wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:40.920 No. 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:43.620 New wine must be poured into new wineskins. 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:48.360 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new. 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:51.519 For they say the old is better. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:57.899 The funny thing about these illustrations is that back then they would have made perfect sense. 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:02.480 But in our day and culture today, these are less familiar things. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:07.600 Wine is almost always stored in bottles nowadays rather than wineskins. 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:11.659 And even mending clothes is far less common than it used to be. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:17.120 Now when we get a tear in a piece of clothing, we just throw it in the donate box. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:21.139 Patching garments is often only done out of necessity. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.519 And much less by younger generations. 00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:28.879 So let's look at some of these a little more closely to see if we can understand what Jesus is saying here. 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.960 Let's start with the first one. 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:36.460 No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:43.179 Two of the other Gospels also mention this analogy. 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:48.179 But interestingly, Luke highlights something a little different than the other two. 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:56.299 Maybe you're familiar with the other Gospels and how it talks about the problem of patching an old garment with unshrunk cloth. 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:59.779 And that was a part of what Jesus said on this occasion. 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:03.379 But Luke captures a bit of a different emphasis here. 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:08.179 No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. 00:17:08.899 --> 00:17:11.079 Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:16.359 And the patch from the new will not match the old. 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:21.319 So imagine going to a store and buying a brand new pair of jeans. 00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:23.139 Even trying them on. 00:17:23.419 --> 00:17:23.699 Yeah. 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:24.599 Great. 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.919 They fit perfect. 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:31.119 And then you poke a hole in them and you reach in and you tear out a big chunk of material. 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:37.559 And you make a patch for a hole using that material in your old jeans. 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.859 For your old jeans. 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:41.439 So you can keep wearing the old jeans. 00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:43.939 Who would do that? 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.299 That's ridiculous. 00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:51.019 Wouldn't it make more sense to just wear the new jeans that you just bought? 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:53.500 They're brand new. 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.839 All the way around. 00:17:54.839 --> 00:18:02.379 And the worst thing about it is that when we factor in what Jesus also said in the other Gospels. 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.619 Reported by the other Gospels. 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:09.240 About the problem of sewing an unshrunk patch on an old garment. 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:12.539 It would actually end up causing more problems to the old garment. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.720 And the patch would fail. 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.859 So then you've ruined the new pair. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:20.179 And the old pair is worse than it was. 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:24.359 How does this translate? 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:25.459 To Jesus. 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:30.779 Jesus coming is like us getting a brand new pair of jeans given to us. 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:33.879 The sensible thing to do is to receive them. 00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:38.799 To receive Jesus as the new gift of God that he is to us. 00:18:39.179 --> 00:18:41.019 And to wear the new jeans. 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.939 To follow the new king. 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.279 The new prophet. 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.179 The savior. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:50.240 The new is better than the old. 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.740 But rather than accepting him. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:55.519 The Pharisees are doing the absurd. 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:58.759 They're saying we prefer the old jeans. 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:01.339 Even though they're full of holes. 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:03.140 We prefer the old ways. 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:05.079 We prefer our traditions. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:07.659 We prefer the old prophets. 00:19:08.179 --> 00:19:09.019 Like Moses. 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:09.899 And the law. 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:11.539 And the instruction that he gave us. 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:14.439 So we'll just take the best of what Jesus has to say. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:17.359 And we'll bring it over and put it in together. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.980 With the good old stuff. 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:22.420 Jesus is saying. 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.180 Listen guys. 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.799 That's not going to work. 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:27.339 There's an incompatibility here. 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:30.640 By trying to mix the old and the new in this way. 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:33.000 You're ruining the new that God has given you. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:36.039 And you're not making the old any better. 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:40.220 Let's put this in terms of vehicles. 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:43.500 You're driving a 20 year old Dodge Caravan. 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.740 It's covered in rust. 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.799 The headlights are scuffed and yellow. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:52.140 Half the electronics in the vehicles don't work. 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:54.319 The passenger door doesn't open. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.960 The driver's window doesn't roll down. 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:59.119 The air conditioning is gone. 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:00.920 The transmission slips in third. 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:02.779 And sometimes gets stuck in fourth. 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:05.100 The engine is making a loud ticking noise. 00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:08.360 And it's got about 385,000 kilometers on it. 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:11.779 I'm really sorry if I'm describing your vehicle right now. 00:20:13.840 --> 00:20:14.779 Hopefully not. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:18.779 And then someone comes along and gives you a gift. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:22.640 A brand new 2025 Dodge Caravan. 00:20:23.560 --> 00:20:26.779 Would you start removing the parts of the new one? 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.700 To fix the old one. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:32.200 That's absurd. 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:36.700 Just get rid of the old caravan and drive the new one. 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:41.519 Jesus is the new who has been given to us. 00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:43.860 And the new is better than the old. 00:20:44.620 --> 00:20:46.900 And yet the Pharisees refused to accept him. 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:48.820 And they are clinging to the old. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:53.100 Let's look at this analogy of wine and wineskins. 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.720 In verse 37. 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:59.740 No one pours new wine into old wineskins. 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:02.720 Otherwise the new wine will burst the skins. 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:06.700 The wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.240 No. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:12.019 New wine must be poured into new wineskins. 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:16.200 New Testament scholar Daryl Bach. 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:18.720 In his commentary on this passage. 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.599 Writes the following. 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:23.319 He says wineskins were usually made from sheepskin. 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.619 Or goatskin. 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:27.139 And the neck area of the animal. 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:29.240 Became the neck of the container. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:32.539 The body portion was skinned. 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:34.000 And the hair removed. 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:39.660 And the hide was treated to prevent the skin from changing the taste of the contents. 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:42.180 Finally it was sewn together. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.380 Over time. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:47.279 The skin of such a container would age. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:49.140 And become brittle. 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:55.620 Someone foolishly might try to put new wine in old skins. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:58.420 But when the new wine ferments. 00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:00.840 It expands the container. 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:03.040 And the skin bursts. 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.700 Being unable to expand. 00:22:04.840 --> 00:22:06.600 Because it is brittle and old. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:09.120 The new wine pours out. 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:12.020 And the old skin is destroyed. 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:14.380 And that of course would be a shame. 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.920 The juice would be wasted. 00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:17.800 And the wineskin would be wrecked. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:21.599 Jesus makes the final point of this analogy. 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:24.960 Clear in verse 38. 00:22:26.159 --> 00:22:26.559 No. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:30.099 New wine must be poured into new wineskins. 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:33.579 What's Jesus saying here? 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:38.879 He's saying that you can't just combine the old with the new. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.940 They're incompatible. 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:43.759 They're not fit to each other. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:49.220 Finally there's the last statement of Jesus in verse 39. 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:52.940 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new. 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:56.240 For they say the old is better. 00:22:56.240 --> 00:23:01.160 This is related to the two analogies that came before. 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.839 But maybe could be its own analogy. 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:06.680 And it's maybe a little tricky to interpret. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:09.720 Just as a full disclosure here. 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:12.019 I am not a person who consumes alcohol. 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:14.079 And I don't know hardly anything about it. 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:18.579 So most of what I'm about to say is just based on my own research. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.319 And digging around online. 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:24.240 So don't hear this and think. 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:26.759 Oh I've got to go to the liquor store and get a bottle of wine. 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:34.240 Jesus is playing into a cultural conviction. 00:23:34.679 --> 00:23:35.859 That when it comes to wine. 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:39.199 The older is always better than the newer. 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:43.600 And most of us have probably heard or even just accepted that. 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.080 Well yeah. 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.680 When it comes to wine. 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.779 Old is better than new. 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:50.660 We often hear people talking about the vintage of wines. 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:53.480 And yet the reality is. 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:55.620 That just because a wine is older. 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:58.360 Doesn't mean that it's going to taste better. 00:23:58.359 --> 00:24:04.979 Apparently vintage has to do with how a particular year's wine tastes. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:07.959 Because of how the climate of that region. 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:11.359 Affected the flavor of the grapes that year. 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:16.740 Apparently the vast majority of wines sold in the market today. 00:24:17.459 --> 00:24:19.500 Taste about as good as they're going to taste. 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:22.500 By the time you buy them off the shelf. 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:25.639 Which is only 6 to 12 months after harvest. 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:29.160 Range wines apparently taste a little bit better. 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:31.040 One to two years after harvest. 00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:33.740 And only the premium expensive stuff. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:37.759 Is even concocted in a way that the flavors may continue to improve. 00:24:37.860 --> 00:24:39.200 After five or more years. 00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:41.120 And so. 00:24:41.340 --> 00:24:42.780 What makes the old. 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:45.080 Better than the new. 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.300 In the minds of most people. 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:49.060 Well think of it this way. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.800 In 1964. 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.980 Growing conditions were good. 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:55.640 In the Bordeaux region of France. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:58.240 Let's say you bought that year's wine. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.539 And you loved it. 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.319 Really good stuff. 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:04.259 But then for the next three years. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.920 Growing conditions were poor. 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.279 And the wine. 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.039 Reflected that. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.279 It was poor. 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.339 In that region. 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:14.360 And so if you could still get the 64 stuff. 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:15.160 That you had bought. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.319 Or had it. 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.700 That would be the good stuff. 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.880 The older would be better. 00:25:19.360 --> 00:25:21.039 And the 65 to 67. 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.160 Well that would be inferior. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:26.400 Now imagine that you like that 64 stuff. 00:25:26.540 --> 00:25:27.220 So much. 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.800 That you bought a whole bunch of it. 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.040 And you saved it. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.680 For special occasions. 00:25:31.800 --> 00:25:32.620 For years to come. 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.460 And then imagine that years later. 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:37.200 In 1983. 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:39.360 Everyone starts raving. 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:42.060 About the 1982 Bordeaux. 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:44.759 And you won't even try it. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.120 Why? 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.860 Because. 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.960 It's brand new. 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:51.740 How can it be better than the old 64? 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:54.980 Well as history would have it. 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.839 The 64 was only good. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:59.240 But the 82 Bordeaux. 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:01.220 Is considered legendary. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.740 They tried some new things. 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.519 With how they made it. 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:06.880 And people absolutely loved it. 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:09.620 And so what is Jesus saying here? 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.680 He's saying that the old. 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:13.039 Isn't always better. 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.500 Than the new. 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:17.440 What we considered old. 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.259 And better. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.920 Well at one time. 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.819 It was the new. 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:22.200 It was the best. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:25.319 But is there room in our hearts. 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.259 For the possibility. 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:28.720 That God is doing something new again. 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.720 Something far better. 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:32.079 Than the old. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:36.680 Jesus is saying that we often cling to the old. 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.640 And familiar. 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.680 And reject the new. 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.279 Out of principle. 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:43.720 But in doing so. 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.980 We're missing out on the very best. 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.879 That God has come. 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.839 To offer us. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.420 Jesus. 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:51.759 Has come. 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.799 It's a new thing. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.000 That God is doing. 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.660 He's the Messiah. 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.480 That we've been longing for. 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.379 And so the old ways of. 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.220 Fasting. 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.519 And longing. 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.139 Must now give way. 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.379 To feasting. 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.619 And celebration. 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:11.719 This is sometimes a challenge. 00:27:11.719 --> 00:27:12.359 For us to. 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:13.599 Sort out. 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.679 In our Christian faith. 00:27:15.439 --> 00:27:17.139 But there is a distinct line. 00:27:17.739 --> 00:27:18.119 Between. 00:27:19.199 --> 00:27:21.319 The old way of God's dealing with us. 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:23.299 Which we can read about in the Old Testament. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:25.000 And the new way. 00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:26.459 Which is offered. 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.319 Through Jesus. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.879 We read about it in the New Testament. 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:32.159 And it's not because God has somehow changed. 00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:34.399 He hasn't changed. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:37.800 It's because the way that God's chosen. 00:27:37.800 --> 00:27:39.240 To unfold his plan. 00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:41.220 Saves the best. 00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:42.180 For last. 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:45.780 God was doing good and wonderful things. 00:27:45.780 --> 00:27:46.420 With Abraham. 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.640 But some of that. 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:49.880 Paled in comparison. 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:51.259 To how he revealed himself. 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:51.820 To Moses. 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:53.560 And the children of Israel. 00:27:53.800 --> 00:27:54.620 At the Red Sea. 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:57.640 God entered into a wonderful covenant. 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:59.280 With Israel at Mount Sinai. 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.820 But that old arrangement. 00:28:02.060 --> 00:28:03.140 Pales in comparison. 00:28:03.320 --> 00:28:04.259 To the new covenant. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.740 Which Christ came to inaugurate. 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.720 Now don't get me wrong. 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:11.680 There's continuity between old and new. 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:14.099 We enter into that relationship with God. 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:14.839 In the same way. 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.480 Through faith. 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.460 It's the same God. 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.960 And he will keep all of his promises. 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:20.220 The ones made long ago. 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.819 And the ones made more recently. 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:24.160 But there's a massive difference still. 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:25.160 Between the old. 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.319 And the new. 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.339 And Jesus. 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.400 Himself. 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:30.279 Puts that regular fasting. 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:32.119 Such as John's disciples did. 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.140 And the Pharisees. 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:34.740 Did. 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.620 He calls that. 00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:37.820 The old wineskins. 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.280 The old garment. 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:42.100 The old way. 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:44.220 And he tells us. 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.180 That the new garment. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.700 Is what we should wear now. 00:28:46.800 --> 00:28:48.300 The new and better wine. 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.000 Is here. 00:28:49.580 --> 00:28:50.620 For which we need. 00:28:50.820 --> 00:28:52.320 New wineskins. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:55.119 To say it another way. 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:57.339 There are many things that fit. 00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:59.299 With the old covenant. 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.319 With the old arrangement. 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:02.220 That God had with his people Israel. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.319 Before Christ came. 00:29:03.939 --> 00:29:04.980 Things like circumcision. 00:29:05.939 --> 00:29:06.960 Temple sacrifices. 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.839 Annual festivals. 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.119 Purification rituals. 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.119 Some foods were considered unclean. 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.139 And even. 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.200 Routine fasting. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:17.880 But now God has brought about. 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:18.700 A new covenant. 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:20.059 Through Christ Jesus. 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:22.860 And embracing this new covenant. 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:24.640 Requires setting aside. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.480 Certain things. 00:29:25.580 --> 00:29:26.180 Fit only. 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.460 For the old. 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.279 Covenant. 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.640 In order to embrace. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.500 This new one. 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.720 Attempting to mix them. 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.480 Simply won't work. 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.779 Trying to cling to the old. 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:38.140 And patch it with the new. 00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:39.640 Is a failure. 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.740 To receive Jesus. 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.680 For who he is. 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.740 He is the fulfillment. 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:44.259 Of the law. 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.680 He himself. 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:47.380 Is our righteousness. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.640 He is the bridegroom. 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.599 Who has come. 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:53.480 Neither can we embrace the new. 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.539 And you know. 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.799 Mix in some old. 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:58.160 Just like the old wineskins. 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.460 Can't contain. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.960 The new wine. 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:03.160 So the old covenant ways. 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.079 Are in some sense. 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.160 Incompatible. 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.640 With the new reality. 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:08.200 That Christ has brought to us. 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:11.359 In relation to fasting. 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.059 In particular. 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.319 Jesus does say. 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.099 That his disciples. 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:15.920 Will fast. 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:18.000 When he is taken from them. 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.480 And certainly. 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.220 There is a time. 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:20.799 For fasting. 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.519 Even after Jesus has come. 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.539 There is a time. 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.039 To weep. 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.819 There is a time. 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:26.640 To mourn. 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.920 We're even commanded. 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.559 To weep. 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.819 With those who weep. 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.500 There's also a time. 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.259 To seek God. 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.120 With desperation. 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:37.319 For his intervention. 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.440 There are times. 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.000 Where we long. 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.640 So deeply. 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.420 For the return. 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:41.960 Of Jesus. 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:43.680 And the final coming. 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.240 Of his kingdom. 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.080 That fasting. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:45.660 Is fitting. 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:48.440 But there's also. 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:50.039 An unshakable hope. 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.920 That we now have. 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.460 In Christ. 00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:53.840 Which cannot be taken. 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.620 Away from us. 00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.800 There is also. 00:30:55.800 --> 00:30:56.380 A command. 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.740 To rejoice. 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:58.840 Always. 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:02.039 There is the presence. 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:03.279 Of Jesus himself. 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.279 In us. 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.039 Now. 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:07.259 He is with us. 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.379 Always. 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:08.599 Always. 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.480 Even to the end. 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.079 Of the age. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.220 We have been born again. 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.259 By his spirit. 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.900 In ways they never were. 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.119 Before Christ came. 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:21.440 The coming of Christ. 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.700 And what he has done for us. 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:25.180 Brings about a new reality for us. 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:27.019 A new relationship with God. 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.519 For us. 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:29.480 Such that it's truly fitting. 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:31.019 For us to rejoice. 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:31.900 Always. 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:32.759 And so fasting. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.600 Should not be. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.360 Just a religious routine. 00:31:35.360 --> 00:31:36.080 For us. 00:31:36.280 --> 00:31:36.560 Today. 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.680 As followers of Jesus. 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:40.300 It doesn't fit. 00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:41.460 With the overall status. 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.600 Of our new relationship. 00:31:42.600 --> 00:31:43.300 With God. 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:44.740 And yet. 00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:45.640 We may fast. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.660 In a season of grief. 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.580 Or loss. 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.140 Or depression. 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:52.680 Or through a time of persecution. 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:54.440 Or desperation. 00:31:55.340 --> 00:31:56.280 We may fast. 00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:57.380 And pray for the salvation. 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:58.180 Of a loved one. 00:31:59.060 --> 00:32:00.160 Or on an occasion. 00:32:00.580 --> 00:32:01.880 When we are filled with longing. 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:03.080 For the return. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.620 Of the bridegroom. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.759 But aside from those kinds of things. 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.120 Right now. 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.140 We have. 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.040 The new. 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:12.600 We have. 00:32:12.780 --> 00:32:13.080 The better. 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.180 We have Jesus. 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.860 We have a new. 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.759 And better covenant. 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:19.840 We have full. 00:32:20.040 --> 00:32:20.960 And free forgiveness. 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:22.220 Of our sins. 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.140 All of them. 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.460 We have the new birth. 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:27.360 And God's indwelling spirit. 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.160 We have been united. 00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:29.880 With Christ. 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:29.960 Christ. 00:32:30.760 --> 00:32:31.900 And we have. 00:32:32.120 --> 00:32:33.540 The word of Jesus himself. 00:32:33.540 --> 00:32:34.560 That he will. 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.000 Raise us from the dead. 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:37.420 And cause us to share. 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.340 In his coming kingdom. 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.260 And all of these. 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:39.980 Things. 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:41.260 Are ongoing reasons. 00:32:41.260 --> 00:32:42.020 To rejoice. 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.320 To celebrate. 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.360 And to feast. 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:44.840 Often. 00:32:45.520 --> 00:32:46.180 In anticipation. 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:47.120 Of his return. 00:32:49.300 --> 00:32:50.720 We could go on about this. 00:32:50.820 --> 00:32:51.100 There's. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.500 There's lots to say. 00:32:53.040 --> 00:32:53.940 Other passages. 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.580 In the bible. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.340 Speak to it. 00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:56.359 The book of Hebrews. 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.459 Talks about old. 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.500 Versus new covenant. 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:01.039 How much better. 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:01.779 The new is. 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:03.299 The book of Galatians. 00:33:03.459 --> 00:33:04.500 Talks about the dangers. 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.179 Of mixing. 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.279 That old. 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.159 With the new. 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.639 Trying to practice. 00:33:08.959 --> 00:33:09.399 Circumcision. 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.359 And keep the law. 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:12.359 The book of Colossians. 00:33:12.459 --> 00:33:13.299 And parts of Romans. 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:14.779 Addresses the efforts. 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.220 Of some. 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:15.980 Who are trying to make. 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.699 Religious rules. 00:33:16.699 --> 00:33:17.299 About eating. 00:33:17.459 --> 00:33:17.959 And drinking. 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.779 And Sabbath keeping. 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.559 And religious. 00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:21.799 Festival observance. 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:24.000 This problem. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.500 Of clinging. 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.240 To the old. 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.259 And even trying. 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.079 To mix the old. 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.680 With the new. 00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:29.779 Even continues today. 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.500 But let's not be. 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.440 Like the Pharisees. 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:36.779 God does not want us. 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.319 To be just. 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.359 Outwardly religious. 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.680 Going through the motions. 00:33:40.139 --> 00:33:41.099 Doing the rituals. 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.500 He's after our hearts. 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.639 He wants a relationship. 00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.940 With each one of us. 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:49.200 He wants the things. 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.159 That we do for him. 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.159 To flow out. 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.160 Of that relationship. 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:53.060 Whether fasting. 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:54.600 Or feasting. 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:56.920 And sometimes. 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.980 We may get the idea. 00:33:58.620 --> 00:33:59.940 That God is a killjoy. 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:01.820 We may. 00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:02.980 Think that he doesn't. 00:34:03.060 --> 00:34:04.019 Want us to be happy. 00:34:04.540 --> 00:34:05.180 That he just. 00:34:05.300 --> 00:34:06.360 Only ever wants us. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:06.880 To practice. 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:07.740 Self-denial. 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.920 And to go without. 00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:10.099 But it's not true. 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.420 There is a time. 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:12.139 For feasting. 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.460 There is a time. 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.260 For celebrating. 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.380 And joy. 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.760 And Jesus. 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.940 Coming into our world. 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.400 And into our lives. 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.700 And all he is. 00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.719 And has done for us. 00:34:21.719 --> 00:34:22.480 And he gives us. 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.379 Countless reason. 00:34:23.919 --> 00:34:24.559 To rejoice. 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.659 Always. 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.960 And to feast. 00:34:27.279 --> 00:34:27.960 And celebrate. 00:34:28.439 --> 00:34:28.839 Often. 00:34:29.339 --> 00:34:30.279 In honor of him. 00:34:31.919 --> 00:34:32.739 Let's pray. 00:34:39.379 --> 00:34:40.259 Lord Jesus. 00:34:40.419 --> 00:34:40.899 We thank you. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.719 That you have come. 00:34:42.379 --> 00:34:43.619 It makes all the difference. 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.299 In our lives. 00:34:45.240 --> 00:34:46.140 And I pray. 00:34:46.140 --> 00:34:46.140 00:34:46.140 --> 00:34:46.340 Pray. 00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:46.340 00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:46.340 00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:46.940 Pray. 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:46.940 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:46.940 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.880 Pray. 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:47.880 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:50.280 would fully surrender ourselves to you 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:52.260 and embrace you as the new, 00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:54.980 as the one from the Father, 00:34:56.280 --> 00:35:01.119 as our King, as our Lord, as our God. 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:04.559 Fill our hearts with joy, we pray. 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:07.960 We ask this in your name. 00:35:08.680 --> 00:35:08.980 Amen.