A New Paradigm

They Questioned His Authority (to Forgive) - verses 6-7 He revealed His Power - verses 8-12

He revealed His Power - verses 8-12

They Questioned His Morality - verse 16 He revealed His Purpose - verse 17

He revealed His Purpose - verse 17

They Questioned His religiosity - verse 18 He revealed a new Paradigm (new covenant) -19-22

He revealed a new Paradigm (new covenant) -19-22

They Accused Him of Criminality - verses 23-24 He revealed His Preeminence - verses 25-28

He revealed His Preeminence - verses 25-28

1. The Principle of Relationship (vv. 19-20)

The people had missed the purpose of fasting and turned it into an empty ritual.

The Pharisees wanted other people to know when and how often they fasted.

They made it a work to show their own goodness.

They had made it a ritual with no meaning (empty), it did not reach heaven.

Jesus made ritual the servant of relationship.

“As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.” It is a joyous celebration, not cause for mourning.

However, he did say that his followers would fast after he is gone. Ritual can aid in relationship, but must never replace relationship (anniversaries, communion).

The Purposes of fasting:

Draw Near to God (Elijah, Jesus 40 day fasts).

It was for the purpose of setting aside distractions to focus upon the Lord.

Discipline our bodies for effective service for the Lord.

(ESV) “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Paul experienced times of going without food. (ESV) “in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

Dependence upon the Lord

27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Direction from the Lord.

The believers at Antioch fasted and prayed before sending out Paul and Barnabas. (ESV) “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Deliverance by the hand of the Lord from a problem.

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Jesus said certain demons could only be dealt with by prayer and fasting ()

The purpose of fasting was to connect with the Lord, not to impress men. Jesus was physically with them, so they had no need to fast.

How did they know the disciples of John and the Pharisees were fasting so much.

2. The Principle of Righteousness (v. 21)

The Pharisees wanted other people to know when and how often they fasted.

They made it a work to show their own goodness.

Their “reward” was merely the esteem of man, not God.

(ESV) “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(ESV)

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Our own righteousness is like the old rags, they are good for nothing.

The implication is that the new clothes are better. You don’t patch up the old with the new.

The new clothes that we are to put on is the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, not our own works. (ESV) “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

3. The Principle of Re-creation (v. 22)

The old covenant is represented by the old wineskins. The wine represents the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit could not be given to vessels that were unregenerate.

“You must be born again” Jesus to Nicodemus.

(ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(ESV)

God first transforms the inside through the miracle of salvation, the rebirth, regeneration.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

True holiness comes as we are transformed by the Spirit of God on the inside.

The Spirit of God takes the Word of God to produce the image of the Son of God in the life of the child of God.

(ESV) “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

(ESV)

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Application:

Are you focused on the Savior or on the rituals? Do you come to church to meet God and His people?

Have you received the righteousness that comes from Christ alone or are you trusting in your own works?

Are you yield to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in your life through His word?