In response to a question regarding religious observances in Matthew 9:16-17 Jesus speaks two parallel parables portraying the old covenant with the new, the old life with the new. The old forms of religion, which in this case was ritual fasting suggesting to us somberness and mourning over the brokenness caused by sin, but now Jesus comes introducing a new covenant bringing righteousness and the kingdom of heaven which is characterized by joy and gladness as at a wedding. In John 15:11 Jesus said “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” This is a totally different picture than the somber rituals of the old covenant which was like an old worn and torn garment; Jesus did not bring a new patch to put on that old garment, the two would not mix. Rather He brought a new garment, the new covenant, having fulfilled every requirement and picture of the old, rendering those rituals no longer valid for He has now become the “Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” Hebrews 8:6. As He did away with those old covenant forms and rituals superseding them by bringing in the new and better covenant He came to “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” Hebrews 9:26, and bring us “into newness of life” Romans 6:4. Just like a new patch does not agree with an old garment, and the old covenant could not be fulfilled with just a patch, but rather required a new superior covenant to supersede it, our old sinful life cannot be fixed by just putting a patch of religion on it; we need the new life that is in Christ Jesus, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10. He is the only way, there is no other!
New Life
By Rose Hill
Old things have passed away,
We have a new life in Christ today.
Thank you God for Your better plan,
We will worship You the best we can.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.