**Read Matthew 9:14-17 and Romans 8:1-8
I. The Bridegroom and His Friends
In Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus used three illustrations when asked by John the Baptist's disciples about fasting. John the Baptist have been put in prison at this time but his disciples were still active and they were always fasting along with the Pharisees and wondered why Jesus and his disciples do not fast.
- In verse 15, Jesus used marriage. If you have a couple of friends who you've hanged out with for the last 25 years. Everything, from summer camps, high school, sports, and college, you and your friends did together. Then suddenly, he told you that he's about to marry, are you and your friends supposed to mourn during the times that you are with him, or are you supposed to hang-out, party, and have fun? But right after the marriage, when you know that you'll probably see him, maybe once a week, once a month, or even once a year, because of commitment to a new family, this is the time to mourn and "fast". Jesus used this illustration to answer the concerns of John's disciples by telling them that it wasn't appropriate for His own disciples to express a spirit of mourning through a fast while he was with them. He was right there, present with them; and His presence alone was reason to rejoice and celebrate.
- At the same time, Jesus took this opportunity to tell people that everything will change. In verse 16-17, Jesus used an unshrunked cloth and an old garment, and new wine and old wineskins for his illustrations. His message is that He came here to establish a new covenant. A covenant is a formal agreement between two parties. The Old Covenant was given to Moses and the Jewish people after their deliverance from Egypt in Exodus 19:4-6. It is through the 10 commandments that the people of God tried to be "good enough" and tried to obey the law, but failed. With Jesus, all we need is to trust in Him and ask for forgiveness. By trusting in Him, and loving Him, our hearts will change and doing the right thing will just come natural.
II. No Condemnation in Christ
- In Romans 8:1-8, Paul continued in his preaching about the relevance of Jesus' death and resurrection. God knew, that with the Law, people were too weak spiritually to follow the commandments fully and receive righteousness but with Jesus, we were pardoned of our sins and justified. At the same time, it gave us a new way for salvation. We have a choice of staying condemned and separated with God or building a relationship and be with God. One thing that is preventing us from living with God, is the desires and the lusts of this world. We are blindsided with our desires to be richer and be the envy of our friends and families but as one of my favorite verses state in Mark 8:36:
"36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"
- There are people in the world who have all the money that they need and they use their wealth to boast of their success and not glorify God. Instead of helping their family members, friends, their neighbors, and their countrymen, they spend it to buy nice houses, cars, and branded purses and shoes (worth the food of a family for 3 months). 1 Timothy 5:6 reads "she who lives in pleasure is dead". We keep continuing to build our treasures in this world and forget about the treasures in heaven, which God would look at when the time comes. Remember in Matthew 19:24,
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
III. Proverbs for Today/ 4:7-10
7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
IV. Additional Old Testament Reading
Genesis 42:18-38, Genesis 43, and Psalms 18:16-36
