Wednesday 23 January 2008

Background

The subject of these few verses is the relationship of the oldwith the new. It begins with the query of John the Baptist'sdisciples concerning fasting. Why do John's disciples and thePharisees fast frequently but the disciples of Jesus do not? Itcontinues with two parables: first, the new unshrunk cloth used topatch an old cloak which would result in a bigger tear on the cloakand second, the new wine put into old wineskins, which, if done,would result in burst wineskins.

Whenever the new meets the old tension will result. The disciplesof John felt aggrieved over the lack of devout observance shown byJesus' disciples. But Jesus' response leads them on from asuperficial examination of a different style of discipleship - and,inherently, a value judgement which says 'my way is better thanyours' - to an understanding of the new order brought about byJesus.

The emphasis of all this is not so much on the continuity of themessage of Jesus with what has gone before, rather upon the radicalnewness of what Jesus brings.

The imagery of the wedding feast and the bridegroom is notincidental. These images relate to the long awaited futureMessianic age. Jesus is the bridegroom, present among us, with whomwe celebrate. Yet here there is also a pointing forward to thattime when Jesus will be 'taken away from them', a reminder of thePassion (the final week and death) of Christ.

To Ponder

How do you cope with change? Have you ever feltvulnerable in a new situation?

What does your experience tell you about helpingothers to cope with change or new situations?

How can we move into the new, whilst building onthe old?