Mark 2:16-2216And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 18And 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? 19And 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. 20But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. 21No 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. 22And 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. (Mark 2:16‑22)
WHEN JESUS accepts Matthew’s invitation to eat in his house, the Pharisees and scribes angrily say: “How is it that He eateth and drinketh with the publicans and sinners?” They would never count a publican worthy of any honor or recognition. But the Lord is ever the friend of sinners—praise His name—and spells out the answer: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Alas, how many today, like the Pharisees, bring condemnation on themselves because they do not like to take the sinner’s place, but instead rely on their “good works.” God’s Word says about such: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Rom. 3:1010As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10).
“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?” Again Satan seeks to undermine the faith of God’s people by raising questions in their minds, questions which he undoubtedly thinks are too hard for Jesus to answer.
It was true indeed that fasting was a part of the godly exercise of John’s disciples, and it was a form of religion with some of the Pharisees at least; and it actually would again be a very suitable thing for faithful Christians after the Lord ascended to Heaven. But He wisely and quickly shows the unsuitability of His disciples fasting while He is with them, for His presence was an occasion for joy and happiness — not sorrow.
The Lord further speaks to their consciences (if they would but hear His words) that His presence in their midst was an indication of changes that would do away with all the old forms and bring in a new order of things. “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. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the old bottles... but new wine must be put into new bottles.” In other words, both examples — the garments and the bottles — were pictures that what was old was no longer suitable and must be done away with, being entirely replaced by the new. This obviously speaks of the end of the time or dispensation when the law reigned, and the bringing in of a new period of grace and mercy through the work the Lord Jesus was soon to accomplish on Calvary.
The Pharisees did not want to give up the old, because it flattered their pride to claim obedience to the law. But the Lord knew their hearts, just as He does ours, and it was no secret to Him that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). If poor, wretched man was ever to come to God it must be through grace and faith in the atoning work of Himself on Calvary. But even today the enemy of our souls would still try to turn us from God’s way of salvation, by getting men to try mixing the old and the new law and grace — and telling us that we need to improve ourselves before grace can act.
Well, this is just Satan’s lie and we need to be on our guard against it, because there are those who would put us back under the law again. But the Word of God says, “By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Gal. 2:1616Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16). No, my friends, it is only through taking our place as helpless sinners and claiming that Christ died for our sins, making it personal to our own need and faith, that we can be saved.
ML-05/19/1963