8.30.26 Suncoast Sunday worship, Matt9:14-17, New Life

Matthew 9:14-17 Sunday Worship: New Life in Christ Introduction: The behavior of Jesus and His disciples did not conform to the expectations of the Pharisees and religious leaders of His day. One of those areas was in fasting as a sign of devotion to God, v14. Fasting is abstinence from food or drink for spiritual reasons as an expression to God of repentance, humiliation or zeal in seeking His will. Fasting was only considered commanded on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:29-34; 23:26-32) but practiced often at times of difficulty (Judg 20:26) or repentance (Dan 9:3-4). In Jesus’ day the Pharisees fasted twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays (Lk 18:12). Jesus is only recorded as having fasted during His temptation (Matt 4:2). The early church fasted during times of important decisions (appointing missionaries, Acts 13:2-3; electing elders, Acts 14:23). Fasting for the Christian is not a command, but a privilege (churches can fast, but they cannot command it). It is a time of concentrated prayer, repentance and communion with our Heavenly Father. Jesus takes the occasion of this question to present Himself as the divine Bridegroom who loves and cares for His Bride, v15. In the OT God used the imagery of a husband/bridegroom to express His saving love for His people (Isa 54:5-6; 62:4-5). By using this picture Jesus declares Himself to be the divine Messiah, God in human flesh, the only Savior of His people. Jesus then uses two metaphors or parables to illustrate what the coming of the divine Bridegroom means. Each parable points to “newness”, vs16-17. The coming of the divine Bridegroom means that everything must become new – the “oldness” of this fallen world cannot contain the newness of God’s Kingdom! 1) God had promised a new covenant (Jer 31:31-34). The Bridegroom came to ratify that new covenant (Lk 22:20). 2) A new birth is necessary to enter God’s Kingdom (Jn 3:3,5) – accomp-lished by the mysterious, sovereign work of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:6-8). 3) All who belong to Christ are baptized to walk in a new life (Rom 6:4). 4) Whoever is born again is already a “new creation” spiritually, in heart and mind (2Cor 5:17). 5) The sanctification of the Holy Spirit prepares the Bride of the Savior to live in a “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2Pet 3:13; Rev 19:7; 21:1,5). Conclusion: Everything is new in Christ – a new life, a new future!