20150925 NOT SO FAST, OR COMPASSIONATE UNDERSTANDING PART 2

NOT SO FAST, OR COMPASSIONATE UNDERSTANDING PART 2

Matthew 9:16-17 "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.  (17)  "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved."

These two verses have always left me a bit befuddled until two days ago when I was reading an old commentary by Matthew Henry. I have heard all sorts of deep, dark, secret, hyper-spiritual answers to what Jesus is teaching here. Thank you, Matthew Henry for giving some simple insight.

Jesus is still answering the question asked by the disciples of John the Baptist, as to why the disciples of Jesus do not fast. The first reason Jesus gave was because He was still present with them. In that, Jesus recognized that John was not with his disciples at this point, but in prison. He showed compassion for their plight.

In this second reason He is showing compassion for His own disciples, recognizing that they were not ready for something as rigorous as fasting. Brand new cloth would have to be prepared before it could be used to patch old clothing. It would need to be washed and dried to allow any shrinkage to take place before it could be used in such an application lest it destroy the old cloth when it did shrink. Jesus was preparing them for what lay ahead, for the difficulties of ministry.

What they were before they met Jesus could not handle the power that was to come their way. A change needed to take place in them. They needed to be prepared and made new by the saving power of Jesus Christ before they would be able to be filled with the new wine that was coming. Fasting is not easy and if done half-heartedly or flippantly can open us up to spiritual attack. The disciples were not spiritually disciplined men. They knew their former jobs which were all secular jobs. In the things of God they were babes.

When Jacob was returning to his homeland his brother Esau met him and encouraged him to follow him quickly, Jacob said this… Genesis 33:13 But Jacob replied, "You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die.”

Jacob showed compassion for those with him. He knew they needed to take their time. They were young and unseasoned in travel. He even showed compassion for the animals.

Jesus shows the same compassion for His disciples at this point in their journey of faith. They weren’t ready for fasting, but one day they would be.

As we deal with new believers may we be as compassionate and sensitive to where they are in their journey with Jesus Christ. Sometimes we are quick to write someone off who doesn’t seem to be moving along as fast as we think she should. I believe that as long as someone is showing up and making some effort, showing some sign of wanting to do right, we should keep on encouraging him, helping him, showing him the right way.

Father in heaven, may we be found showing deep, encouraging compassion for each other. May we have understanding as together we travel this faith journey. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!