2.22.2015
First Sunday in Lent Mark 2:18-28 Jesus explains why His
disciples do not fast
Jesus explains why His disciples do not
fast. They belong to a new era. Jesus justifies the lack of fasting by his
disciples by His presence as the bridegroom. He is the Messiah. When He is no
longer present, fasting will be resumed. Early Christians fasted on Fridays in
commemoration of Good Friday while the Jews fasted on Mondays and Thursdays.
The old must give way to the new. Jesus brings a new covenant, a new era, a new
way of life based not on the Law but on the Spirit. Old Judaistic customs must
yield to the new era. The new patch of Christ cannot be sewed on the old
garment of Judaism. The new wine of Christ calls for new wineskins.[2]
The way of Christ cannot be blended with
any other religion. So unique is the way of Christ that He calls for a new way
of thinking. New cloth cannot be attached to old cloth. New wine cannot be
placed in old wineskins. Salvation by grace alone will never fit with a
religion of works. Our freedom in the Gospel is a polar opposite with a
religion of works. “If any man be in
Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new.”
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led
by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted
by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each
one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.[3]
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