Embracing the New Covenant: Freedom in Christ

 

Summary

In our exploration of Luke 5:33-39, we delve into the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the practice of fasting. The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to tradition, questioned why Jesus' disciples did not fast as often as those of John the Baptist or the Pharisees themselves. Jesus responded by highlighting the significance of His presence, likening it to a wedding feast where fasting is inappropriate while the bridegroom is present. This metaphor underscores the joy and celebration that accompany the arrival of the Messiah, contrasting with the Pharisees' rigid legalism.

Fasting in the Old Testament was primarily a voluntary act, often associated with seeking a deeper connection with God or expressing mourning. However, the Pharisees had imposed additional fasting requirements, turning a personal spiritual discipline into a legalistic obligation. Jesus rebuked this approach, emphasizing that legalism distorts the freedom God grants His people. Legalism, as Jesus pointed out, is the act of legislating where God has left freedom, turning voluntary acts into mandatory ones, which is detrimental to a healthy spiritual life.

Jesus further illustrated His point with two parables: the new patch on an old garment and new wine in old wineskins. These parables signify the incompatibility of the new covenant He brings with the old traditions of the Pharisees. The new covenant requires a new framework, just as new wine requires new wineskins. This teaching challenges us to embrace the transformative power of Christ, which cannot be contained within old, rigid structures.

The essence of Jesus' message is the transformative nature of His presence and the new covenant. It calls for a departure from mere traditionalism and an embrace of the new life He offers. This transformation is not just a superficial change but a profound renewal that affects every aspect of our being. As followers of Christ, we are called to be new creations, living in the freedom and joy of the new covenant.

Key Takeaways:

- The Presence of the Bridegroom: Jesus likens His presence to a wedding feast, emphasizing that His arrival is a time for joy, not fasting. This metaphor highlights the significance of recognizing the time of God's redemptive work and celebrating the presence of Christ in our lives. [15:02]

- Legalism vs. Freedom: The Pharisees' legalism turned voluntary spiritual practices into obligatory rituals, distorting the freedom God intended. True spirituality is not about adhering to man-made rules but about living in the freedom and grace of God. [06:06]

- New Wine in New Wineskins: Jesus' parables of the new patch and new wine illustrate the incompatibility of the new covenant with old traditions. Embracing Christ requires a new framework, a transformation that cannot be contained within old structures. [20:20]

- Transformation in Christ: The new covenant brings profound transformation, making us new creations in Christ. This change is not superficial but a deep renewal that affects every aspect of our lives, challenging us to live in the freedom and joy of the new covenant. [21:58]

- Discernment in Tradition: While some traditions are valuable, others can hinder spiritual growth. It is crucial to discern which traditions align with the apostolic teachings and which are mere human constructs, ensuring that our faith is rooted in biblical truth. [10:45]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - Reading from Luke 5:33-39
- [01:31] - Prayer for Understanding
- [02:03] - The Call of Matthew
- [02:49] - Questioning Jesus' Disciples
- [03:18] - Old Testament Fasting
- [04:38] - Pharisaic Traditions
- [05:26] - Legalism and Self-Righteousness
- [07:08] - John the Baptist's Asceticism
- [08:05] - Apostolic Tradition
- [09:48] - New Insights vs. Classic Orthodoxy
- [11:34] - Jesus' Response: What Time Is It?
- [13:11] - Shadows of the Old Testament
- [14:29] - The Bridegroom's Presence
- [16:43] - Parables of Cloth and Wineskins
- [20:57] - New Covenant and Transformation
- [23:12] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 5:33-39

Observation Questions:
1. What question did the Pharisees ask Jesus about His disciples' practices, and how did Jesus respond? [02:49]
2. How does Jesus use the metaphor of a wedding feast to explain the presence of the bridegroom? [15:02]
3. What are the two parables Jesus uses to illustrate the incompatibility of the new covenant with old traditions? [16:43]
4. According to the sermon, what were the Pharisees' additional fasting requirements, and how did they differ from Old Testament practices? [04:38]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' metaphor of the bridegroom challenge the Pharisees' understanding of fasting and tradition? [15:02]
2. In what ways do the parables of the new patch and new wine illustrate the need for a new framework in embracing Christ? [20:20]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between legalism and true spirituality? [06:06]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of discernment in evaluating traditions within the church? [10:45]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized tradition over the joy of Christ's presence. How can you shift your focus to celebrate His presence more fully? [15:02]
2. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you feel bound by legalistic practices? How can you embrace the freedom and grace that Jesus offers? [06:06]
3. Consider the "new wineskins" in your life. What old structures or habits might be hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you create space for transformation? [20:20]
4. How can you discern which traditions in your faith practice are valuable and which might be hindering your spiritual growth? [10:45]
5. Think about a personal experience where you felt the transformative power of Christ. How did it change your perspective or actions?
6. Identify a tradition or practice in your life that may not align with biblical teachings. What steps can you take to align it more closely with the new covenant in Christ?
7. How can you actively live as a "new creation" in Christ this week, embracing the freedom and joy of the new covenant? [21:58]

Devotional

Day 1: The Joy of the Bridegroom's Presence
The presence of Jesus is likened to a wedding feast, a time of joy and celebration. In Luke 5:33-39, Jesus responds to the Pharisees' question about fasting by emphasizing that His presence is a time for rejoicing, not mourning. The metaphor of the bridegroom highlights the significance of recognizing the time of God's redemptive work. Jesus' arrival marks a new era, one that calls for celebration and acknowledgment of the Messiah's presence. This joy is a reminder of the transformative power of Christ in our lives, inviting us to live in the fullness of His grace and love. [15:02]

Isaiah 62:5 (ESV): "For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."

Reflection: How can you celebrate the presence of Christ in your life today, acknowledging His transformative work and the joy He brings?


Day 2: Freedom from Legalism
Legalism, as practiced by the Pharisees, turned voluntary spiritual practices into obligatory rituals, distorting the freedom God intended for His people. Jesus rebuked this approach, emphasizing that true spirituality is not about adhering to man-made rules but about living in the freedom and grace of God. The Pharisees' legalism imposed unnecessary burdens, overshadowing the joy and freedom found in a relationship with God. Jesus invites us to embrace a spirituality that is rooted in grace, where our actions are motivated by love and devotion rather than obligation. [06:06]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: In what areas of your spiritual life do you feel burdened by legalism, and how can you embrace the freedom that Christ offers?


Day 3: Embracing the New Covenant
Jesus' parables of the new patch and new wine illustrate the incompatibility of the new covenant with old traditions. The new covenant requires a new framework, a transformation that cannot be contained within old structures. This teaching challenges us to embrace the transformative power of Christ, which calls for a departure from mere traditionalism. The new life in Christ is not about superficial changes but a profound renewal that affects every aspect of our being. As followers of Christ, we are called to be new creations, living in the freedom and joy of the new covenant. [20:20]

Jeremiah 31:31-32 (ESV): "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord."

Reflection: What old traditions or mindsets are you holding onto that may be hindering your embrace of the new covenant in Christ?


Day 4: Transformation in Christ
The new covenant brings profound transformation, making us new creations in Christ. This change is not superficial but a deep renewal that affects every aspect of our lives. Jesus calls us to live in the freedom and joy of the new covenant, challenging us to move beyond mere traditionalism. This transformation is a continuous process, inviting us to grow in our relationship with Christ and to reflect His love and grace in our daily lives. As we embrace this new life, we are empowered to live out our faith authentically and joyfully. [21:58]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced transformation in Christ, and how can you continue to grow in this new life?


Day 5: Discernment in Tradition
While some traditions are valuable, others can hinder spiritual growth. It is crucial to discern which traditions align with the apostolic teachings and which are mere human constructs. Jesus challenges us to ensure that our faith is rooted in biblical truth, rather than being bound by traditions that may not reflect the heart of God. This discernment requires wisdom and a willingness to evaluate our practices in light of Scripture, allowing us to grow in our relationship with Christ and to live out our faith authentically. [10:45]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: What traditions in your life need reevaluation to ensure they align with biblical truth, and how can you seek God's wisdom in this process?

Quotes

"Then they said to him why did the disciples of John fast often and make prayers and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees but yours eat and drink and he said to them can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them but the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them then they will fast in those days." [00:19:31]

"In the old testament god commanded that the people of Israel fast on one occasion on the day of atonement but then for the rest of the time fasting was a matter of voluntary activity and practice and we see two times when fasting occurs most frequently in the old testament the first reason or the first time is when people were seeking for a deeper and sharper focus on the things of god." [00:19:31]

"The Pharisees who were the arch conservatives of Israel created new laws that god never imposed upon the people they created their own traditions and their traditions sought to require the Jews to fast twice a week for at least a portion of the day and not only that in their zeal for righteousness they began to teach the idea that fasting was such a righteous enterprise that it would bring merit to the person who fasted." [00:28:48]

"What the legalist does is legislates where god leaves people free they take you may and turn it into you must and that is absolutely fatal to a healthy Christian life and the Pharisees who considered themselves the ultimate standard of righteousness were the fathers of this kind of legalism." [00:35:02]

"Now when John the Baptist came he came in the prophetic image he spent time living in the wilderness living off of wild honey and locust he was an ascetic he was given to self-denial and to this asceticism so that he could focus his mind critically on the things of god and he taught his disciples to do the same thing so for John the Baptist and his disciples fasting was a frequent experience." [00:42:24]

"Because in the new testament there's another tradition that is spoken of Jesus is sharply critical of the traditionalism of the Pharisees but when we come to the apostolic age the apostle Paul speaks warmly and devoutly about what he calls in Greek the paradises which he has received and which he instructs his readers to pass on to everyone the parodisus is the Greek word for tradition and it means a giving over from one to the next." [00:47:36]

"Jesus wasn't asking them what time it was in the day he was asking them what time is it in terms of redemptive history as you know the bible was written over literally thousands of years and god's revelation of himself and of his plan of redemption and of salvation was revealed gradually and progressively beginning in genesis and then expanding through the prophets and the whole old testament where god was adding new information about the kingdom that was to come." [00:51:57]

"These shadows would then be discarded now you have people today who want to take all of the old testament and bring it over into the new covenant and then you have people who say the old testament is totally obsolete they don't care a bit about it and all they care about is the new testament no no no no no there is an intimate relationship between old testament revelation and that which is given to us in the new covenant." [01:06:49]

"When the bridegroom is here you don't fast you don't mourn you don't rend your garments you rejoice you throw a party but the Pharisees didn't know what time it was the Pharisees didn't get it and thus their critical spirit at this point so Jesus says the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away and then the bride will and the friends of the bridegroom will fast referring to his execution and his removal the end of his incarnation in his earthly ministry." [01:14:30]

"Jesus to explain this further tells these two simple parables about the cloth and the wine skin he said now look I know you Pharisees aren't tailors but you should know something basic about sewing if you have a pair of pants and you tear have a hole in that pair of pants and you want to patch it you don't get a new piece of garment from a new pair of pants and cut that away and without rinsing it and shrinking it try to add it to the old pair of pants." [01:18:23]

"You can't just take the kingdom of god and the arrival of Jesus and just put it on top of the Pharisees traditions it won't fit something new is happening here there is a new covenant yes it builds upon the old but it can't be absorbed totally by the old you have to have a new aspect if you're going to fit into the new covenant and by extension you can't have Christ and squeeze him into your old life and expect that to work." [01:24:17]

"When you are born again by the holy ghost you're a changed person and if you're not a changed person your conversion experience is false you can't be born of the holy spirit and not be a changed person impossible the sanctification that follows takes our whole lifetime and then into glory but change begins immediately and really and one way you can check yourself if you question whether you're converted has there been any change in my life or am I still living the old way." [01:31:28]

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Transcript
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