Do we as Christians rejoice knowing that Christ ushered in something new? In him, we are no longer bound by the 400 hundred plus laws that the Israelites had to obey under the Old Covenant. Do we as Christians fully understand Christ’s redemptive power found in the New Covenant? By possessing this understanding of Christ’s redemptive power, does it lead us to praising God all the more? The Parable of the Wineskins (Matthew 9:14 – 17) identifies Jesus being the New Covenant and surpassing the Old. In addition, as he surpasses the Old, we are called to rejoice in the newness that he brings.
It is helpful to understand the historical and cultural context of the Parable of the Wineskins to grasp the full meaning and implications. The parable of the wineskins occurs during Jesus’ public ministry around the Galilee. Geographically, the non-Jewish southern territory of Samaria and the Hellenistic southeast providence of Peraea separate Galilee from Judea. This separation also places Judea under a different administration than its Galilean counterparts. Both Judea and Samaria possess the same administration, which falls under the direct rule of a Roman prefect. Despite this similar rule, Judeans despise their northern counterparts as they deem them unsophisticated, influenced by Hellenistic culture, and lacked religious piety. Even though Jesus’ birthplace begins in the southern region, he resides in the north. Therefore, Jesus must constantly prove his Messiahship, as the Judeans despise his homeland. Within this context, Matthew writes to a Jewish audience who possess a strong understanding of their Jewish identity. He, therefore, actively references Old Testament patriarchs and Jewish traditions to reveal Jesus as the Messiah.
The Jewish audience of the parable of the wineskins understands the Old Testament references of fasting and the wedding feast of the marriage custom. In the Old Testament, fasting transpires to mourn the dead, to remember the fall of Jerusalem, to receive direction from God, and to submit to God. In addition, fasting never occurs during special feast days, days of preparation, or the Sabbath. The outcome of fasting postulates forgiveness, healing, exorcism, and repentance. Despite the positive gains from fasting, rabbinic students receive advice to not fast excessively. The second Old Testament contextual reference in the parable of the wineskins involves marriage. The Jewish marriage customs start with a marriage contract between families. This contract represents a sacred compact, comparable to the covenant agreement made with God. Once the contract is established the bridegroom’s family immediately fulfills the bride-price to ensure marriage and protect the bride from sexual abuse. Once consummation is complete, the contract of marriage is rendered complete. This last step happens when the groom brings witnesses, his friends, to the house of his father-in-law. At such time, the two become physically joined. The friends rejoice at the success of the bridegroom, while the bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Both Old Testament references provide pertinent cultural awareness to traditions of the audience of the parable of the wineskins.
Continue Reading: Parable of the Wineskins Pt.II
