Luke 5:33-39
33 And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.”
34 And Jesus said to them, “You cannot make the attendants of the groom fast while the groom is with them, can you?
35 But the days will come; and when the groom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.”
36 And He was also telling them a parable: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the patch from the new garment will not match the old.
37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.
38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.
39 And no one, after drinking old wine wants new; for he says, ‘The old is fine.’ ”
What the Controversy Over Fasting Teaches
Why Jesus’ disciples are not fasting
The Pharisees began to protest, saying it was strange that Jesus’ disciples were eating and drinking without fasting. This was because the disciples of John and those of the Pharisees regularly fasted and prayed at designated times. Jesus answered, “You cannot make the attendants of the groom fast while the groom is with them, can you? But the days will come; and when the groom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days” (v 34-35). This answer contains a prophetic element. Now is a time of joy, so there is no need to fast. However, the time will come when Jesus dies on the cross. That will be the time when the disciples will voluntarily fast. Have you ever judged someone in your heart for rejoicing, or felt a negative emotion toward someone who was fasting? Let us learn from the following verses: “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Eccl.3:4). “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15).
New wine must be put into new wineskins
Jesus used another parable to further explain in detail the nature of the kingdom of God. No one does something as foolish as tearing a piece from a new garment to patch an old one. The “new garment” represents the essence of the kingdom of God. The old garment refers to Judaism of that time. Since the two are entirely different in nature, they cannot be combined. Another parable is the one about wine and wineskins. In those days, goatskins were used as wineskins after removing the bones and flesh from the carcass. It was common knowledge at the time that new wine must be put into new wineskins. The “new wine” refers to the essence of the kingdom of God, which is the life given through the Holy Spirit. The “old wineskins” refer to the Judaism of that time, which placed emphasis on traditions and customs. The Pharisees said, “The old is good,” and were satisfied with the status quo. Are you the type of person who is overly concerned with the opinions of others? Are you content with a formal, outward expression of faith? Or are you living a life in which life overflows from within and brings a good influence on those around you? Today, let us receive the new wine from the Lord Jesus.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, there are many restructurings taking place in different fields. But perhaps, I myself and the Christian church need restructuring the most. Please have mercy on me. Please show me what the new wineskin is that can receive the new wine. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.