Matthew 9:14-17
The King’s presence brings bridegroom joy and kingdom newness that old forms cannot contain.
14 Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
15 Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made.
17 Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.”
The King’s presence brings bridegroom joy and kingdom newness that old forms cannot contain.
Matthew records Jesus answering a question about fasting by revealing that his presence as bridegroom brings kingdom joy and covenantal newness that cannot be contained by old religious forms.
The question arises during the controversy-filled ministry context following Jesus’ meal with tax collectors and sinners.
Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest
Jesus, the merciful Son of Man and Son of David, has authority to forgive sins, call sinners, restore the broken, and send workers into the harvest of shepherdless people.