Matthew 9:14-17 provides an example of Old Testament revelation to describe the arrival of Christ. This description of Christ arriving occurs during Jesus’ response to a question about fasting. Jesus responds by telling a parable about wineskins to illustrate his fulfillment of the Old Testament while ushering in something new. Matthew being keenly aware of Jewish traditions and their implications paints a picture of Jesus as the new tradition no longer bound to the old tradition. Jesus bypasses the old tradition by declaring his fulfillment of it. Jesus’ stance on being the new tradition remains relevant to today’s Christians. In declaring the new tradition, Jesus’ challenged a traditional view of knowing God. He sought to reveal that in him a rebirth occurs from man-made piety to a surrendered heart to God, where joyous celebration exudes. Jesus rightly noted that fasting will remain upon his departure. However, fasting no longer exemplifies pious work or mournful behavior of what has been lost. Instead, Jesus challenges those to understand that within him one can be joyous and possess an inner attitude of redemption knowing that Christ has fulfilled God’s contract. Therefore, today’s Christians can rejoice and celebrate knowing that we reign with the new tradition that being Christ. The challenge arises for today’s Christians to remove the incompatible traditions that render them lifeless before God and to replace it with new traditions found in Christ.

Tags: matthew 9:14-17, parable of wineskins, praise