The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Mark:2:18-22

kjv@Mark:2:18 @ And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

kjv@Mark:2:19 @ And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

kjv@Mark:2:20 @ But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

kjv@Mark:2:21 @ No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

kjv@Mark:2:22 @ And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Today's notes:

Context:

Before - The physician comes
After - healings on the Sabbath

Key Concepts:

slide:kjv@fasted

What is God's righteousness observed doing?:

Righteousness during the earthly ministry was seen by the Lord as being in the celebratory mode of a bridegroom in the bride chamber when the excitement of the intended couple was shared by the future bridal party.
Righteousness in days to come after the earthly marriage announcement and celebration as seen by the Lord will be in a preparation mode where bridegroom will leave bride to prepare the couples future together.
Righteousness is seen by Jesus as the skilled craft of a master over that which he is producing whether a fine woven garment or a fine aged wine. It uses known properties and process expertly to form above and beyond common natural course something eventual that the material itself could have never made itself to be.

What does this tell us about God's righteousness?:

Righteousness sees things according to a much higher purpose, moving in a direction from here to there, various process and elements working together towards a whole. Grapes are treaded/wool is washed and bleached. Grapes are strained and separated/wool is combed and yarned. The material knows little of what is occurring only that it agitates and interrupts and presses.
Righteousness sees a beneficial element such as fasting in the scope of a rather perfect plan in all manner and perspective/schedule and process, that is countered by a blind or short sighted confiscation that intends the element as proof of it's own righteousness scheduled and robotic and uninspired. Yet it remains calm and purposely driven towards the end mark working the material into what it will be.
Righteousness does not have to tell nor convince ahead of time all that it intends to do. It is for our sakes that He gives an overall picture.

How is man reacting?:

In opposition. Using the obvious as proof against rather than seeking to understand the difference.

Notes:

The first key is to keep the entire passage in the context of the initial issue raised: fasting. What is the purpose of a fast if not to draw closer to our Lord? With Jesus on the ground and immediately present, there is no closer that a man could get than here in His direct presence. Why then fast unless for ulterior motive?

Second. What is Jesus' motive? He pictures it as a formal engagement to wed, the intention of a entirely new fully established legitimate consecrated relationship. Why then would He proceed as if His intention is anything less?

Both garment and wine go well with the picture of a wedding. Neither however speak of the bride, they speak of elements associated with His/Her joyous occasion. If the three are given together with the intention of holding to one complete thought, we must determine and separate the bride from the process ongoing to provide for her these other refined elements. We must determine where we fit into the analogy.

The old cloth is already rent else there would be no need for the new cloth to patch it. The new cloth is not intended to be a patch, it is an entirely new weave. Not only would new patch would only make the rent worse it would be uncomely to adorn a new bride.

The only way to put wine into old bags is if they are empty. New wine heated and expanded as it fermented and often was buried in the ground in leather bags. Old and new wine can be mingled for feast and celebration but likely in a vase at that point not a bag.

Both process of production involve the use of fairly stringent even forceful metamorphic ingredients.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

Men use religious articles such as fasting with the intention of patching what they already have when it is a totally new thing that Jesus needs to see.
Man is very absorbed in comparing themselves to others and that in a manner which puts themselves above the other. Righteousness of this type becomes much to do about appearances and schedules and not so much about genuine content.
Men are also prone to seeing everything in the here and now, as if this is all that there is to the process, as if the process is nearly completed. Not until a problem becomes too overwhelming do they seek the direction of Jesus. To rush the Lord to answer it is felt that a sudden prayer or fast or charity will draw the Master's favorable attention. This with eye on patching what is already formed.

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Mark:2:18-22
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Mark:2:18-22 rwp@Mark:2:18-22 mhcc@Mark:2:18-22
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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