6 July 2013 - past the surface

6 July 2013 - past the surface

Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

The old framework is insufficient for the Good News which Jesus brings.  The criteria for judging whether something is holy or not have been upgraded.  Before, one could tell simply by whether or not a set of external acts were performed.

“Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?”

Even the disciples of John are confused.  They know fasting is good so they assume that people who are doing it must be the most pious.  Surely the ones practicing all of the mortifications are the holy ones and the ones who aren't must be lazy at best.  Jesus tells us that this is not so.  There are times when it is appropriate to fast.  There are times when it is appropriate to feast.  We can't tell whether someone is pious just by looking at which external someone chooses.  The important thing to observe is that now in the New Covenant whether or not fasting is a good idea is determined by our relationship to Jesus.

The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast.

We tend to choose badly.  But if we stay near Jesus he can use us in spite of imperfect choices.  Rebekah and Jacob conspire to steal the blessing from Esau.  This blessing is vitally important for through it the promises to Abraham will eventually be fulfilled. Valuable is it is, lying is not commendable or praiseworthy.  If anything, the value of the blessing makes it even worse.  We can see how problematic it is by the strife it causes in their family down the road.  And yet, God not only honors his promise by passing on the blessing he calls Jacob his chosen one.

For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself,

In spite of our mistakes, God choses us for himself.  Let us turn back to him with our hearts full of praise.

Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!