New Ways

 N.T.#100 "New Ways"

June 27, 2023

Matthew 9-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been criticized for going good? It is hard to swallow, I know. But look how the Pharisees criticized Jesus and His followers for their good deeds. 

First, they complained that He was eating with publicans (tax collectors) and sinners. Jesus came to show sinners they needed a Savior, and that is who He is. He calls sinners to repentance, admitting they sin and ask for forgiveness. If He avoided those men, how could they find a cure for their spiritual sickness-sin? The Pharisees certainly were not going to provide it.

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins. (verse 6a)

Jesus had just healed the crippled man and they accused Him of blaspheming, of which He was not. Jesus is the Son of God, the Lamb of God that takes away our sins. 

On the other hand, Jesus was gaining numbers of followers and believers. The Pharisees were loosing their influence and domain. Do you know any church members like that? when new folks come into the church, are they welcomed or do those in power feel threatened of loosing their influence? It happens. People loose their focus on Jesus and place it on things.

LET IT GROW

Secondly, the disciples of John the Baptist criticized Jesus because His followers did not fast. Why should they have fasted when they had Emanuel, God with us, among them? Jesus was teaching them God's will (recall the Sermon on the Mount). He was showing them God's ways (mercy, compassion, forgiveness). 

Jesus gave some analogies concerning their circumstances:

1. The wedding guests are happy while the bridegroom is with them. It is when he is taken away that they fast. So it is with the Lord; while He was with His disciples and believing followers, they rejoiced. The time came when His death took Him away and they mourned.
2. A new cloth is not put on an old garment with a hole in it. The new cloth will shrink and rip a bigger hole than was had to begin with. 
3. New wine fermented and would break old skins or bottles as it expanded, so they did not put new wine in old bottles, but used new ones. 

The old religious system of Judaism with its rules and traditions are replaced by the new message of Jesus Christ. Through faith, Jesus cleanses the sinful heart, forgives sins, and reconciles us with God. Mercy and grace are the new ways He provides for us. 

Are we, as followers of Christ, prepared for new ways to live, new ways to look at people, and new ways to serve? 

LET IT GO

Change my heart O God, make it ever true. change my heart O God, may I be like You.