A Series on the parables of Jesus – Part 2
The new cloth and
the old garment
(Click
on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 9:9-17
[During the
first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their
disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate
spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish,
trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable
moment”.]
There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who embrace change…
and the rest of us.
Change is risky, scary and stressful. I prefer all things routine. Every
morning and every evening, I have the same routine. I have a calendar that
helps me to stay in my routine. These routines help me to know what to expect,
and to feel like I’ve got it under control… even if I don’t.
My normal reaction to change is to resist. One place where I’ve observed
this is during choir rehearsals at church. When the director decides to sing a
song that’s in Latin or she tells us to sing acapella, my first reaction is… “NOOO!”
Jesus faced this same resistance to change when Matthew, who was a tax
collector, decided to follow him. To celebrate the occasion, Matthew hosted a
banquet in Jesus’ honor. Because tax collectors were considered traitors by the
Jews, the Pharisees questioned why Jesus would eat with sinners.
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people
don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” NLT
Later the disciples of John the Baptist complained that both they and the
Pharisees fasted while Jesus and his disciples didn’t.
15 Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while
celebrating with the groom? Of course not… 16 “Besides,
who would patch old clothing with new cloth... 17 “And
no one puts new wine into old wineskins”. NLT
Jesus is telling them that things are changing fast. He is the groom; he
is the new cloth; he is the new wine. The old is on the way out to be replaced
by the new. If you read between the lines, you can hear the collective response
of… “NOOO”!
In addition to death and taxes, change is a constant. We’re all looking
for stability in an unstable world. Into this chaotic world of change, came the
one unchanging constant. The One who can bring stability and peace.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and
forever. Hebrews 13 NIV
This is good news because Jesus is faithful. We can always depend on him.
But, with this newfound stability comes change… NOOO!
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new
creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians
Getting rid of the old can be hard. The old is comfortable. It’s what
we’re used to. So we try to patch the old garment with the new cloth. But, like
Jesus said, and Paul confirmed, the old is on the way out to be replaced by the
new. This is Good News.
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