The Questioned About Fasting: When questioned about fasting, Jesus provided an answer with a nod towards the believer of today. Jesus expected believers to fast after He was gone. The days of the “bridegroom’s” absence is the period of this age, from the time of His ascension until His return. The church awaits this return of the bridegroom. Therefore, fasting in this age is (1) a sign of the believer’s longing for the return of his LORD, (2) a preparation for His coming, (3) a mourning of His absence, and (4) a sign of sorrow for the sin and the decay of the world.
New Wine Into Old Bottles: This verse has been interpreted in various ways by commentators. Two views are (1) The “new wine” was fresh grape juice. As it began to ferment, the new bottles (wineskins) would stretch and not break, whereas the old skins would break. The “new wine” represented the gospel as fermenting change that the old forms of Judaism could not contain. This view is questionable, however, because those familiar with the process of fermentation state that even the newest and strongest of wineskins, if sealed, would burst from the violent action of fermentation. (2) A second interpretation sees the parable as emphasizing the importance of preserving both the “new wine” and the fresh wineskins. The “new wine” was fresh unfermented grape juice, representing the original saving message of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit thrust forth at Pentecost. Jesus’ overriding concern was that the original gospel and redemptive power of the Holy Spirit be preserved from all change, corruption, or loss. This interpretation is supported by Christ’s concern that the gospel (new wine) not be altered by the teachings (leaven) of the Pharisees and Judaism (leaven being a fermenting/altering agent, Mat 16:6,12; Ex. 12:19; 1 Cor. 5:7).
Like old wineskins, the Pharisees were too rigid to accept Jesus, who could not be contained in their traditions or rules. Christianity required new approaches, new traditions, and new structures. We, too, must be careful that our hearts do not become so rigid that they prevent us from accepting the new way of thinking that Christ brings. We need to keep our hearts pliable so we can accept Jesus’ life-changing message.
Blessings,
Elder Barbara
LAB|FLB
