33 And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and
make supplications; likewise also the _disciples_ of the
Pharisees; but thine eat and drink. 34 And Jesus said unto them,
Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the
bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come; and when the
bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast in
those days. 36 And he spake also a parable unto them: No man
rendeth a piece from a new garment and putteth it upon an old
garment; else he will rend the new, and also the piece from the
new will not agree with the old. 37 And no man putteth new wine
into old wine-skins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and
itself will be spilled, and the skins will perish. 38 But new wine
must be put into fresh wine-skins. 39 And no man having drunk old
_wine_ desireth new; for he saith, The old is good.
The Pharisees were disturbed by the attitude of Jesus toward sinners. Much
more were they distressed by his attitude toward the forms and ceremonies
which to their mind constituted the very essence of religion. This
attitude had been expressed by the failure of Jesus to require his
disciples to observe the fasts which had become so prominent in the system
of legalism taught by the religious leaders of the Jews. The Law of Moses
prescribed no fasts. The rabbis had so multiplied them that a Pharisee
could boast of fasting “twice in the week.” The disciples of John the
Baptist were taught to fast frequently, not as an empty form, but to
express the solemn character of the ministry of John who had come
preaching “repentance unto remission of sins.” It was not strange,
therefore, that the enemies of Jesus came to him with a complaint and with
the question, “The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications;
likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.” In
his reply Jesus stated distinctly the view his followers should take, not
only of fasting but of all religious forms: “Can ye make the sons of the
bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will
come; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will
they fast in those days.” Fasting is an expression of sorrow. How absurd
then would it be for Jesus’ followers to fast while the heavenly
Bridegroom was with them! They might express their distress thus when he
should be taken away. Thus Jesus declared that fasting, like all religious
rites, may be quite fitting if it is a true expression of religious
feeling, but if it is a matter of form, of rule, or requirement, if it is
regarded as a ground of merit, it is an absurdity and an impertinence.
Jesus added a parable which further indicates his attitude toward all the
rites and ceremonies in which the Pharisees took such delight. He declared
that he had not come to regulate the fasts and feasts or to amend the
Jewish ritual. That would be like sewing a new patch on an old garment.
This religion of ceremonies had served its purpose. Jesus had come with
something, new and better. The life of freedom and of joy which he was
imparting could not be bound up in the narrow forms and rites of Judaism.
New wine could not be kept in old wine skins.
Christianity cannot be comprehended by any system of rites and ceremonies.
It must not be interpreted as a set of rules and requirements; it must not
be confused with any ritual. It controls men, not by rules, but by
motives. Its symbol is not a fast but a feast, for its pervasive spirit is
joy.
As reported by Luke, Jesus added a characteristic phrase indicating his
tender sympathy, “And no man having drunk old wine desireth new; for he
saith, The old is good.” Those who long have been accustomed to a religion
of forms find it difficult to be satisfied with the religion of faith. We
must be patient with them. It is not easy for them to give up the
practices of childhood and it takes time for them to learn the gladness
and the freedom of spiritual maturity offered to the followers of Christ.