Matthew 9:14–17

A marriage is not a funeral!

The fact that Jesus is present should make people happy.

In Matthew 9:9–13, Jesus offended the Pharisees. Here, a group of men became confused. These men were disciples of John. They were not against Jesus. But they could not understand him. John was a prophet. His special work was before that of Jesus. (Read Matthew 3:13–1.) John had taught his disciples to fast (Matthew 9:14). God’s people often fasted (went without food) in OT times too. But Jesus and his disciples did not fast. People did not understand why it was like this. (Note: Read the section on Matthew 6:12–24. It explains the word ‘fast’.)

Jesus answered them with three word pictures.

First, he spoke about marriage. After the wedding, a couple would stay at home. They would be like a king and queen for a week. Special guests would serve them. These people had a special name. They were called the ‘children of the bride’s room’. During that week, there would be many meals and much joy. This was the custom in ancient Israel.

The OT prophets believed that the Messiah would come. They wrote about the time when this would happen. They spoke about him as the bridegroom. (This refers to a man who is to marry soon.) Read Isaiah 54:5–6 and 62:4–5. The Jews used the same description for the Messiah. They are still waiting for him to come today.

Jesus’ answer to John’s disciples used all of these beliefs. Jesus was the Messiah. So, it was not a time to go without food (fast). (Read Matthew 9:15.)

Now Jesus gave two more word pictures.

There is new cloth and old cloth. Nobody would sew new cloth on to a hole that was in an old coat. To wash the coat would make the new cloth get smaller. So, the hole would get worse.

Also, there is wine. In Israel, new wine went into new leather skins. The skins were still soft. So, as the wine became mature, the skin would stretch. Old skins could not do this. They would split.

Jesus seemed to be comparing two systems. There was the old system of ceremonies in the OT. Now, he was introducing a new system. His good news brought life and power. It just would not fit in with the old system. God did not mean the OT ceremonies to last for ever. He appointed them to end when Jesus came. They would be unnecessary. The life and power of the new age would make them unnecessary.

The Jews fasted often. (They chose to go without food for a time.) It was part of their religious life. Jesus seemed to be ending this practice. But, a person or groups of people can fast, if they choose. (Compare Matthew 9:15 and Matthew 6:16–18.) Jesus did not deny this. (Read Acts 13:2 too.) To fast may:

• show that we are serious about our promise to obey God.
• help us to realise that we need more than food to live.
• help us to concentrate on prayer. This is the most important benefit.

Questions

• Does what you believe make you very happy? Are there parts of your Christian life that make you anxious? How can they change into joy? (Read James 1:2–4.)
• What part should celebration (happy times) have in a church? How should members have celebrations?
• How can we show our joy to sad people? What is the best way to do this?