Mark 2:18-22

1. The Problem of Religious Performance — v. 18

“Why don't your disciples fast?”

They were measuring spirituality by outward religious practice.

2. The Person of Christ — vv. 19–20

“The Bridegroom is with them.”

Jesus redirects their attention from religious practice to Himself.

3. The Power of New Life — vv. 21–22

“New wine must be put into new wineskins.”

Introduction

Have you ever looked at another Christian and thought, “They don't do things the way I think a Christian should?”

Maybe they worship differently.

Maybe they dress differently.

Maybe they pray differently.

Maybe they don't follow the same traditions or practices that you do.

And sometimes, without even realizing it, we can begin to measure someone's relationship with God by what we can see on the outside.

That's what we encounter in Mark 2.

The Pharisees see Jesus' disciples, and they notice something they're not doing: they aren't fasting.

And they ask Jesus:

“Why don't your disciples fast?”

At first, it sounds like a simple question about fasting.

But Jesus shows us that the issue is much deeper.

This isn't ultimately about fasting.

It's about religion versus relationship.

It's about what happens when we become so focused on religious practices that we fail to recognize the Person standing right in front of us.

Let's look at Mark 2:18–22

1. (V18) The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting, why don’t your disciples fast?

The Problem of Religion (V18)

“Why don't your disciples fast?”

They were measuring spirituality by outward religious practice.

a) Why were they fasting?

In the Old Testament, Israel was commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement as an expression of humility and repentance before God (Leviticus 16:29).

Over time, additional voluntary fasts became common. The Pharisees were known for fasting twice a week (Luke 18:12), traditionally on Monday and Thursday.

The Pharisees fasted by publicly displaying, often wearing long robes and appearing somber to gain the admiration of others. They believed that their outward appearance and rituals would demonstrate their devotion

John the Baptist also emphasized repentance, so fasting fit naturally with his ministry.

But Jesus and His disciples were experiencing something different: the Messiah was with them. They weren't neglecting God—they were rejoicing because Jesus was in their midst.

b) What were they really asking?

Their question was essentially:

“Why don't your followers look as religious as everyone else?”

This wasn't merely a question about fasting. They were evaluating the disciples' spirituality based on outward religious practices.

They were essentially saying: “If your disciples are truly serious about God, shouldn't they look like us?”

The problem isn't having convictions. The problem is making our personal convictions the standard by which we judge someone else's relationship with God.

c) The danger of legalism in the church

Legalism takes good things—standards, traditions, or spiritual practices—and turns them into measures of someone's spirituality.

The Pharisees had taken something good—fasting—and turned it into a standard by which they judged others.

The church can fall into the same trap today:

“If you don't worship like I do, you're not spiritual.”

“If you don't dress like I think Christians should dress, you're not serious about God.”

“If you don't follow our traditions, you're not a good Christian.”

Romans 14:4 “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.”

 The problem is making our convictions the standard by which we measure everyone else's relationship with God.

A key distinction: Biblical Holiness vs. Legalism

Biblical holiness: “God's Word tells me how to live, so I want to obey Him.”

Legalism:“My standards and traditions determine whether you are spiritual.”

Every Easter Molly and I hide plastics eggs filled with candy and money for our kids to find. The kids love it and its entertaining for us.

d) Legalism can make us look at people instead of Jesus

The Pharisees were looking at: “Why aren't they fasting?”

Jesus wanted them to recognize: “The Bridegroom is here.”

2. (V19-20) Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them

2. The presence of the Bridegroom (V19-20) Jesus redirects their attention from religious practice to Himself.

Jesus doesn't simply defend His disciples.

He puts Himself at the center.

The issue isn't ultimately: “Should we fast?”

The deeper issue is: “Who is Jesus?” He's the Bridegroom.

a) The presence of the Bridegroom brings joy (V19)

The Jews knew that marriage was one of the pictures used in the OT to help explain Israel relationship to the Lord

The imagery of the bridegroom and bride is a profound and recurring theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing the intimate relationship between God and His people.

Jesus is presenting Himself as the One who comes to establish a covenant relationship with His people.

There is commitment, covenant, love, and belonging.

The friends of the bridegroom would not be expected to mourn while the bridegroom was present.

The Messiah—the One they had been waiting for—was standing right in front of them.

b) But the Bridegroom would be taken away (V20)

Notice the language: “taken away.”

Jesus is already pointing toward His coming death.

The joy of His physical presence would be interrupted by the sorrow of His violent removal.

c) Jesus is teaching that our response flows from our relationship with Him

The Pharisees were focused on the practice of fasting.

Jesus directs their attention to the Person of Christ.

They were asking: “Why aren't they doing what we are doing?”

Jesus answers: “Because the Bridegroom is here.”

In other words:

The Christian life isn't ultimately about performing the right religious practices. It's about responding rightly to Jesus.

3. (V21-22) No one sews a piece of unshrunk clothes on an old garment or put new wine into old wineskins, but new wine must be put into new wineskins

3. The power of the new

“New wine must be put into new wineskins.”

a) Jesus came to introduce something new

Mark gives us two illustrations: New cloth and an old garment

New wine and old wineskins

You can't take what I am bringing and simply attach it to the old religious system as another piece.

Jesus is saying that the promises, pictures, sacrifices, priesthood, and covenant of the Old Testament were pointing toward something—and now that something has arrived.

b) Jesus didn't come to patch up the old

He didn't come merely to make the existing religious system a little better.

He came to fulfill what the Old Testament was pointing toward.

That's why John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

The Law was given by God and was good. But the Law was never the final destination. It pointed forward to Christ.

Jesus Himself said: Matt 5:17“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Christ is the fulfillment.

d) What does the “new wine” represent?

Jesus came to bring us new life.

He changes the heart, the desires, the priorities, and the direction of our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Conclusion

The Pharisees were focused on religion.

Jesus pointed them to relationship.

They were focused on the practice.

Jesus pointed them to the Person.

They were focused on the old.

Jesus was bringing the new.

The Bridegroom is here.

The question isn't simply:

“Am I doing enough religious things?”

The question is:

“Do I know Jesus?”

Because Jesus didn't come merely to make us better religious people.

He came to make us new.