Central Truth

Jesus offers a new relationship, a new robe, and a new brew.

Reflections

Do you ever wonder how the Pharisees knew who was eating dinner with Jesus? I looked up the word Pharisee to see if it could be Greek for “stalker,” but found that it meant “self-righteous” or someone who lived in strict obedience to the Jewish law. That is probably why they did not like the way Jesus was hanging around with people who openly broke the law.

Although I trusted in Christ for salvation in high school, I did not see my own true sickness until about 10 years later. When my life turned upside-down, I walked away from God and denied everything I had believed. I thought God’s plan was too painful, so I took matters into my own hands and, in the process, failed in every possible way. As a result, I brought excruciating pain into my life and the lives of those around me. Shocked at my own heart’s condition, I did not know if I could ever return to Jesus.

When the Pharisees asked Jesus about fasting, He talked about new things. He did not give them some new rules or or even teach the old rules to the “sinners” at the table. Instead, Jesus referred to Himself as the bridegroom – the one initiating a new relationship, offering a new robe or identity (Galatians 3:27), and providing a new container for the new wine – cool, life-giving fellowship with Him. That new container, His grace, expands beyond our sin, stretching to reach us, always fresh and ready to supply the thirstiest soul with the living water of the Good News.

When I returned to Jesus like the prodigal, He was not shocked by my mess. In abundant grace He waited for me like a groom, watching for His bride. He healed me, washed me with the refreshing water of His Word, and even gave me something new to wear – His righteousness! 

I could not fully experience grace when I approached Jesus with a Pharisaical attitude. But I can dance in grace as a sick sinner in desperate need of a powerful Physician!

Discussion Questions

1. Jesus is approachable. Am I?

2. Why do we ask questions about Jesus instead of asking Jesus the questions?

3. Why am I okay with being physically sick in the waiting room of the doctor’s office, but not okay with being emotionally or spiritually sick when I walk into church?

4. Am I living in the new robe/identity of right standing with Christ, or am I looking back at my old robes of failure and filth?

5. Do I depend on old wineskins (the law, rules and regulations) to hold the new wine of Jesus’ message of hope and salvation? Why would I do that when the old ways cannot deliver grace?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. When do you usually go to the doctor?

2. What does the doctor do for you? 

3. Who did Jesus say He came to help? Are you one of these people? (Romans 3:23)

4. Have you trusted Jesus to save you from your sins? (Romans 10:9)