The Old Verses the New

N.T.#510  "The Old Versus the New"

March 19, 2025 

Luke 5-Part 7

LET IT GLOW Leave now evil!!

Previously, we read about Levi, referred to as Matthew, being called by Jesus to follow him. That is what Matthew did-And he left all, rose up, and followed Him. (verse 28)

Matthew had been a tax collector for the Roman government. He was able to stuff his pockets with money as he charged extra taxes for the Jews. Needless to say, Matthew was not well liked. However, he had a change of heart.  In fact, Matthew was the writer of our first Gospel.

Matthew had a dinner banquet at his home. He made efforts to win his fellow tax collectors to faith in Christ. Although, the dinner party became an occasion for the Pharisees to criticize Jesus and His disciples for dining with such sinners. 

How did Jesus handle this criticism?

He answered them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. (verse 32)

People back them and now are sin sick. Jesus' mission was to invite the spiritually sick to repent and experience a restored relationship with God. He did not come simply to hang out with religious people. The religious leaders didn't have enough concern for sinners to show them compassion and point the to God. (Tony Evans)

How do we handle criticism for doing right?

LET IT GROW

The religious leaders went on criticizing Jesus. They noted that John's disciples and theirs fasted often and prayed. But Jesus' did not, for they ate and drank. Fasting was a way to give oneself to pray and seek the mind of the Lord in making special decisions. It was a way of involving sorrow over sins or an urgent request for divine intervention. 

Then Jesus spoke of two parables:

1. When attending a wedding, no one fasts because the bridegroom is present. They celebrate and rejoice at the wedding occasion. When the groom was taken away from them, the people would fast. The Messiah had finally come. It was party time! Yet the Pharisees did not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. After His resurrection and ascension, His disciple would have legitimate opportunities to fast. (verse 35) Besides, Jesus' disciples would reach out and touch God, they did not need to fast in order to touch God. 
2. You can't take a new patch and put it on an old garment. The new patch would shrink and tear the old garment. (verse 36)
3. You can't put new wine into old wineskins. The brittle containers will burst and the wine plus the wineskins would be lost when the wine swells. (verses 37-38)

Jesus brought a new covenant, a better one. The Pharisees and scribes wanted their old ways to stay the same. Matthew and his friends were just the kind of people Jesus came to save: honest enough to admit they were deathly ill with the disease of sin and wanted to be healed of it.

Instead of summoning the unrighteous to the temple, Jesus seeks them where they are and saves them as they are. (Swindoll)

Do we interact with the lost? Are we sharing the love of Jeus with them?

LET IT GO

Help us be open and flexible so we can reach the lost.

Fill us with Your love and forgiveness.