Religious Leaders Ask Jesus About Fasting

Matthew 9:14-17, "John's followers came and asked Jesus, 'How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?' "

(The disciples' fasting was a sign of mourning for sin and to prepare for the Messiah's coming. They didn't need to fast for Jesus WAS the Messiah.)

"Jesus answered, 'How can guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?'"

(The arrival of the kingdom of heaven is like a wedding feast with Jesus as the Bridegroom, therefore the disciples were filled with joy!)

"This time will come when the Bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast."

(When Christ died on the cross for mankind's sins, the disciples realized this.)

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment making the tear worse."

(Jesus did not come to patch up the old religious system with its rules and regulations. He brought something new though it had been prophesied for centuries. That being Jesus reconciling man to GOD through His sacrifice on the Cross for mankind's sins. We must be prepared to live the new life in Christ.)

"Neither do men pour new wine into old wine skins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined. No, new wine is poured into new wine skins and both will be preserved." 

When you accept Christ as your Savior you are admitting He paid the penalty for your sin and you become a NEW person. You are preserved in His Holy Spirit to do good works bringing others to His saving grace.

Jesus Eats With Sinners

Matthew 9:9-13, "Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him and Matthew got up and followed Him. 

"While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and 'sinners' came and ate with Him and His disciples.

"When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?

"On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (to repentance)."

When Jesus called you, did you abandon your sinful past and begin a new life in Him? We should not be afraid to reach out to the lost and guide them to Salvation in Jesus Christ. For He is the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. (John 14:6)

Get Up and Walk

Matthew 9:1-8, "Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to His own town. Some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat.

"When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.' At this some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, 'This Man is blaspheming!' 

"Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, 'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven or get up and walk? So that you may know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...' He then said to the paralytic, 'Get up, take your mat, and go home.' The man got up and went home!

"When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and praised GOD Who had given such authority to men."

You may also know the power of Jesus Christ in the salvation He offers to all people! Have you received His Holy Spirit upon repenting of your sins and asking Jesus to be LORD of your life? Know GOD in this manner, trust Him and His miracles in your life will be seen!

Animals Pay for Man's Sins Again

Matthew 8:28-34, "When Jesus came to Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met Him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 'What do You want with us, Son of GOD?' they shouted. 'Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?' Some distance away from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.

"The demons begged Jesus, 'If you drive us out, send us into the pigs.' Jesus said to them, 'GO!' So the demons went out and into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died.

"Those tending the pigs ran off and went into town reporting all of this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus.

When they saw Him, they pleaded with Him to LEAVE their region."

Commentary: "Why did the people ask Jesus to leave? UNLIKE their own pagan gods, Jesus could NOT be controlled by them. They feared Jesus' supernatural power, a power they had never before witnessed. They were upset of losing a herd of pigs more than they were glad about the deliverance of the demon-possessed men! Are you more concerned about property than people? Men are created by GOD to have eternal value. How foolish many are concerning possessions, investments, and even animals above human life. Would you rather have Jesus leave you than finish His work in you?