SameoldsameoldorNewWine:Whatdoes2011haveinstore? AsermonbyBobMendelsohn GivenattheMustardSeedChurch 30January2011 LawrenceKansas Reading:Matthew9.9 26(Textbelow)[Ifyouhavetimereadallofchapters8and 9] ThankyouasalwaysPieterandAlice,Paul,theelders,staffandallherein LawrencewhomakemefeelsowelcomeeachtimeIvisittheMustardSeedChurch.I missyourdad,pieter.imissyourmom.imisssomanyotherswithwhomiwalkedin mybeginningdaysinthe1970shere.andsomeofmymemorieswillhelpustodayas weunpackabitofbibletogether. LastSundaymorningIdrovefrommyhouseinSydneyAustraliatotheBlue Mountains,adriveofabout2hours,topreachinasmallAnglicanchurchin WentworthFalls.Nicedrive.Thefirstservicetherebeganat8:00,soIhadtoleave veryearly.anditissummer.andthesunwasshiningat6:00asidroveaway.the windowsweredown.theairwascrisp. StillsleepingatmyhousewereKansasCityfriendsTomandDebbieKolarik. DebbiegraduatedKU.TheyarrivedafewdaysearliertohaveavacationinSydney. Notabadideacomparedtothesnowandcoldhere.AndI vestayedattheirplacein KCeachtimeIvisithere,forthelasttwodecades,sothisonetripshouldmakeupfor allmyresidentialimposition. IturnedontheChristianradiostation,whichinSydneydoesn talwaysplay Christianmusic.Don task.andtheywereplayingtheoldandrecrouchsong, Take meback. Letmeread,notsing,youthewords. Takemeback,takemeback,dearLord,totheplacewhereIfirstreceivedyou.Take meback,takemeback,dearlordtowhereifirstbelieved. Thatfeltgoodtohear,tosingwiththewindowsdown,andtoenjoyaquickgodly prayerwithcrouchandhischoir. MayItakeyoubacktosomeofmyearliestrecollectionsinfaith,tomyfirstreading ofthegospelofmatthew,andbringsomeofyouwithmetooursimplestformoffaith, trustingwhatmessiahjesussaidtohisfriends,inreadingmatthewchapter9,and learningwhatthenewwineandoldwineskinsisabout,andpurposetobedisciples todayandeverydayasaresult. Intheancientanddesert likeneareastwithitsscarcityofwater,winewasa necessityratherthanaluxury.throughoutthebible,winebecameasymbolof sustenanceandlife.itoftentookonthemeaningandrepresentedcovenantblessings tothejewishpeople,andsometimesevencarriedeschatologicalimageryaswell.joel theprophetsaid, Inthatdaythemountainswilldripnewwine. (3.18)
Tobefair,sometimeswinecarriedeschatologicaljudgmentaswell.Godinstructed Jeremiahto takefrommyhandthiscupfilledwiththewineofmywrathandmakeall thenationstowhomisendyoudrinkit (25.15,also13.12 14) Winecouldbeeitheranimageofamanwhowouldloseself controlbyimbibing (Prov.20.1)oralternativelyasasymbolofjoy,celebrationandfestivity.Considerthe weddingincanawherejesusperformedhisfirstmiracle,turningwaterintothebest wine. AllthisbackgroundseemstoputJesus statementtodayinmatthew9in perspectiveaboutnewwine.wineisnotbadinthestory;it sagoodthing.butdon t bedistracted.theissueisthecontainer,nottheitemtobecontained. (Forother newwine references,considerthis.job s3friendshadspokenfor30 chapters,andfinallyinchapter32,the4 th friend,theyoungelihuisready,seriously readytoaddresstheissuesandsays, Iamfullofwords;Thespiritwithinme constrainsme.behold,mybellyislikeunventedwine,likenewwineskinsitisabout toburst.letmespeakthatimaygetrelief;letmeopenmylipsandanswer. (32.18 20)) Infactthereare33referencesintheOlderTestamentusingthephrase new wine. Butonlyinthisstory,repeatedinbothMarkandLuke,doweseethephrase newwine usedinthenewertestament.atissuethenforme,isnottheitem,butthe container.thatseemstobewhatjesusishighlighting. LetmetellyouaTalmudicstory.It srecordedinnedarim50b. TheEmperor's daughtersaidtorabbiyehoshuabenchananiah: WhatbeautifulTorahinanugly vessel. Hereplied, Learnfromthehouseofyourfather.Inwhatisthewinestored? Injarsofclay, sheanswered. Butallthecommonpeoplestoretheirwineinjarsof clay!youusethemtoo?youshouldkeepyourwineinjarsofgoldandsilver! She wentandhadthewineplacedinvesselsofgoldandsilver,anditturnedsour. Thus, hesaidtoher, ItisthesamewithTorah! Sheasked, Butaretherenothandsome peoplewhoarelearned? Hereplied, Iftheywereuglytheywouldbeevenmore learned! NowI mnotexactlysureabouttheapplicationtherabbiswantedthejewish peopletomakeinthe5 th century,buticantellyouforsurethatthephrase jarsof clay is.listentothispassagefromtheapostlepaul, GodistheOnewhohasshonein ourheartstogivethelightoftheknowledgeofthegloryofgodinthefaceofchrist. Butwehavethistreasureinearthenvessels,thatthesurpassinggreatnessofthe powermaybeofgodandnotfromourselves; (2Corinthians4.6 7)Theearthen vessels,thejarsofclay,areyouandme.weareordinarypeople,andit sthegloryof Godtohideamatter,eveninus!It sthecommonthing,theavailableandcommonjar, theordinarybowl,themelmac,notthegoodwedgewoodchina,withwhichgod wantstoadornhishouse,thishouse. HowdoIknowthis?Byreadingthedoublesymbolisminourstorytoday.Wesee thatinthereadingofthestoryoftheusedoldgarmentandtheallegoryofthe wineskins.thestoryisaboutpeople. Here sthereading,again,inthefourverses: 2
Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? And Jesus said to them, The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. But no one puts a patch of un-shrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results. Nor do men put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out, and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved. (Matthew 9.14-17) Simplyput,thenewwineskinishisdisciples,it speople.i llgettothatsoon.for now,imaginethescene.peopleareeatingtogether,welearnlaterinmatthew shouse. He sataxcollector.outsidethehousearesomeofjohn sfollowersandsome PhariseeswhoaresortingouttheissuesassociatedwithJesus.Theywonderaloud whyjesuseatswithsinners.especiallyataxmanlikematthew.sotheyaskhimabout eatingandfasting.areasonablequestion.andjesusdoesn treallyansweritexceptto say,therewillbetimelatertofast.it sasifhe ssaying, Fornow,theyarelearning. Realdisciplesarehangingoutwithme.Realdisciplesareenjoyingmypresence.There willbetimeforsorrowandfastingandothersuchactivity,butfornow,it sagood time. AndIwonderifhedidn tthenask, Doyouguysgetthat?Doyouunderstand whati msaying?doyouhaveearstohear? NowIknowthatmostBibleexpositorsinterpretthispassagetobetalkingabout theendofjudaismandthebeginningofthekingdomofgodinthechurch.it sso binaryandsoeasy.andit sclose,butit snoton.therewasnochurchthatjesuscould haveinvitedotherstojoin;therewasnobaptistorlutheranorcharismaticplacelike themustardseed therewerejewishandonlyjewishplacestoattend.sothe either/ornatureofmostcommentatorssoundsanalarmtomeintheir supercessionistconclusions. IntheparallelGospelinwhichthedoublewordpictureisrepeated,Lukerelates howjesuschosehisdisciples.allofchapters5and6stringtogetherseveralstories whichdealwiththecallingandselectionofthedisciples.lukerecordsthestoryofthe miraculouscatchoffishduringwhichjesusinvitesjames,john,peter(andby inferenceandrew)tobecomehisdisciples.(luke5:1 11)Thesectionconcludeswith thefishermenleavingtheirboats,theirnetsandthemiraculouscatchtofollowjesus alone.(5.11)thestoryreturnstothecallingofthediscipleswiththecallofmatthew (Luke5:27 28).Likethefishermen,Matthewthetaxcollector,leaveseverythingand followsjesus.youwillhearmoreaboutthecallofmatthewnextweekwhenbarry Fosterspeaks.Thenthediscipleshavethedinneratwhichwesawtheconversation. Followingourdoublewordpicture,Lukesixbeginswithashortstory(Luke6:1 5) wherethephariseeschallengejesusonsabbathissues,butitisinfactthedisciples' behaviorthatthephariseescriticize,notthebehaviorofjesus.theyaccusedthe disciplesofbreakingthesabbathbypickingtheheadsofgrainandwinnowingthem 3
intheirhands.lukeclosesthesectionwiththechoiceofthetwelveapostles(luke 6:12 16). ThereisanotherTalmudictale(PirkeiAvot4.20)whichsoundssimilar.Idon t havetimetorepeatithere(butreproduceitattheendforthoseonline)butsufficeit tosaysomeofthephariseesmighthaveknownwhatjesusmeant. LikethelargerGospelcontextofourstory,theTalmudicpassageiscomparing differenttypesofteachers,disciplesandteachings.thatis,thevesselsforcontaining winearenotinstitutions,religiousmovementsorteachings.thevesselscontaining thewineareindividuals.thewineistheteachingthattheindividualconsumesor contains.thus: Thenewgarmentispreviouslyuneducatedstudents,whiletheoldgarmentarethe previouslyeducatedstudents,whomweusuallycallthejewishleadership.thepatch istheteaching.intheotherstory,thenewwineskinsarepreviouslyuneducated students,thatis,theapostles,andyouandme,whiletheoldwineskinsarepreviously educatedstudents.thenewwineisnewteaching,basedonjesus instructionwhile theoldwineispreviousteachingwithrabbinicinterpretation.thus,thejudaic Meaning:Newteachingrequirespreviouslyuneducatedstudentsinordertobe received.oryoumightbemorefamiliarwithwhatjesussaid,againandagain, He thathasanear,lethimhear. ThiswayoflookingatthisdoesnotpitJesusagainst JudaismnordoesitimagineaconflictbetweenNewCovenantGraceandOldCovenant Torah.Instead,itpitsJesus'schoiceofdisciplesagainstthePharisees'choiceof disciples.andgetthis,itallowsforyouandformetobeapart.wecanbepartof God skingdomnow.welcomedbyhislove. TheGospeldemonstratestheapparentlywrongchoicesJesusmadeindisciples. Theyarefishermen,taxcollectorsand"sinners."Theyarefeastinganddrinking insteadoffastingandpraying.theyappeartobebunglingsabbathobservancetofeed theirstomachs.theyarenotthepioustypes.theyhavenotbeeneducatedwiththe sages.inthisregard,theyarelikeacleanslate,afresh,pieceofpaperforjesusto writeon.thedoubleimageisnotapolemicagainstjudaism;itissimplyan explanationofhischoiceofdisciples.inessence,jesuswassayingtothepharisees, "Look,Youcan'tteachanolddognewtricks." IusedtoteachalessonherefromActschapter4.Ilovethatstory.It swhenthe SanhedrinquestionsPeterandJohnandPeterisfilledwiththeSpiritandanswers verywellabouttherebeingonlyonewaytobesaved.inacts4:13lukerecords,"now as[thesanhedrin]observedtheconfidenceofpeterandjohnandunderstoodthat theywereuneducatedanduntrainedmen,theywereamazed,andbegantorecognize themashavingbeenwithjesus."onthatday,whentwopoorlyeducatedfishermen stoodbeforethesanhedrin,theydemonstratedthefullcaliberoftheireducation underjesusandvindicatedhischoiceofdisciples.newgarments,newwineskins,new lifeandnewstudents. Application FriendsattheMustardSeedChurch,andthosewatchingandlisteningviathe internetandcdsandmp3s,godwantsyoutojoinhisfamily.hewantsyoutowork togetherwiththosewhoarealreadyinhisfamily.hewantsustoseeothersinthe 4
BodyofChristasdisciples,andbrothersandsistersinthishealedfamily.Wewere sick;thegreatphysiciancametous.wewerenotthepreviousdisciples;wearethe newones.andtheneedyones.andtheneed one anotherones. That swhatirememberaboutthemustardseed.nickandinekestayinguplateat nighttopraywithbrokenpeople.iwasoveratacommunehouseon15 th and Tennesseewherewaywardwanderersandhurtingfolkscouldfindrepairandfinda mealandfindotherswhowereequallyhungrytofindeternityinthegreatphysician. Someofyouwereamongthoseearlydisciples. Youhavebeenlearningandconsideringhowtobecomenewwineskins.Don tbe fooledintothinkingthatmeanswecannotmeetinachurchbuildingoruse tambourines.itdoesnotmeanwehavetowritenewsongseachweekorneverrepeat asermonfromthepast. Newwineskins doesnotmeanchasingafterwind.story ofthepigsandthefarmer. Pieterwrotemeacouplemonthsago: Wearegoingtobelookingforwaysto practicallyserveourcommunityandshowthemtheloveofchrist.thethemeforthis yearisgodenablingustobecomeanewwineskinthatwillbeabletocontainhisnew wine. Here stherealissue.willyou,willeachofyou,beadisciple?willyoulearnand keeplearning?willyouattendclasses?willyoureadandstudywhennooneis watching,andwhenyouhavenothingyouhavetopresent?willyousitatjesus feetin prayerandenjoyhimeachdayoratleastregularly?willyoubringothersintothat fellowshipandrelationship?that stheworkofadisciple.beingtaughtandteaching others.lovedandloving.andhere sasgoodaplaceasanytodoso. MayGodcomfortoursisterLynnePellwhoishere,inthelossofherbelovedson Philiplastmonth.MayGodgiveusfriendsandcompanionswhowalkwithusinthis newwineskineachday. ThankyouPieterforlettingmecomeback.Thankyoufriendswhopartnerwith JewsforJesus,someeachmonth,someonceayear,someonceeverywhile,whohelp metostayoutonthefields,sharingmessiahwithjewishpeopleinaustraliaandnew Zealand.Andwesharewithanyoneandeveryone,throughourGospeltractministry, throughourbookshopinsydney sjewishcenterinbondi,andinone to onevisits withinquirersthroughoutthecountryviaskypeandintheirhomes.weareever lookingfornewstudents.wearenotashamed.andno,thefloodsinaustraliadidn t directlyaffectpattyandme.wearehundredsofmilesfromthem,butourfoodprices willgoupdramaticallyintheweekstocome.still,thankyouforwondering.and caringandpraying.iappreciateyou all! Mylastwordstoday,Betaughtandlookforstudentstoteach.Thanksandshalom! BobMendelsohnisthenationaldirectorofJewsforJesusinSydneyAustralia.He ministersinternationallyregularlyinsingaporeandtheusandinothercountries.he ismarriedtopatty,andtheyhavethreeadultchildren.contacthimon bob.mendelsohn@gmail.comorvisitthewebsitejewsforjesus.org.au 5
Textforsermon:Matthew9.9 26 Matt.9.9 AndasJesuspassedonfromthere,Hesawaman,calledMatthew,sittingin thetaxoffice;andhesaidtohim, FollowMe! Andherose,andfollowedHim. Matt.9.10 AndithappenedthatasHewasrecliningatthetableinthehouse,behold manytax gatherersandsinnerscameandwerediningwithjesusandhisdisciples. Matt.9.11AndwhenthePhariseessawthis,theysaidtoHisdisciples, Whyisyour Teachereatingwiththetax gatherersandsinners? Matt.9.12ButwhenHeheardthis,Hesaid, Itisnotthosewhoarehealthywhoneed aphysician,butthosewhoaresick. Matt.9.13 Butgoandlearnwhatthismeans, Idesirecompassion,andnotsacrifice, forididnotcometocalltherighteous,butsinners. Matt.9.14 ThenthedisciplesofJohncametoHim,saying, Whydoweandthe Phariseesfast,butYourdisciplesdonotfast? Matt.9.15AndJesussaidtothem, Theattendantsofthebridegroomcannotmourn aslongasthebridegroomiswiththem,canthey?butthedayswillcomewhenthe bridegroomistakenawayfromthem,andthentheywillfast. Matt.9.16 Butnooneputsapatchofunshrunkclothonanoldgarment;forthepatch pullsawayfromthegarment,andaworsetearresults. Matt.9.17 Nordomenputnewwineintooldwineskins;otherwisethewineskins burst,andthewinepoursout,andthewineskinsareruined;buttheyputnewwine intofreshwineskins,andbotharepreserved. Matt.9.18 WhileHewassayingthesethingstothem,behold,therecamea synagogueofficial,andboweddownbeforehim,saying, Mydaughterhasjustdied; butcomeandlayyourhandonher,andshewilllive. Matt.9.19AndJesusroseandbegantofollowhim,andsodidHisdisciples. Matt.9.20Andbehold,awomanwhohadbeensufferingfromahemorrhagefor twelveyears,cameupbehindhimandtouchedthefringeofhiscloak; Matt.9.21forshewassayingtoherself, IfIonlytouchHisgarment,Ishallgetwell. Matt.9.22ButJesusturningandseeinghersaid, Daughter,takecourage;yourfaith hasmadeyouwell. Andatoncethewomanwasmadewell. Matt.9.23AndwhenJesuscameintotheofficial shouse,andsawtheflute players, andthecrowdinnoisydisorder, Matt.9.24Hebegantosay, Depart;forthegirlhasnotdied,butisasleep. Andthey beganlaughingathim. Matt.9.25Butwhenthecrowdhadbeenputout,Heenteredandtookherbythe hand;andthegirlarose. Matt.9.26Andthisnewswentoutintoallthatland. Endnotes: PirkeiAvot4:20 6
ElishabenAvuyahsaid:"Hewhostudiesasachild,untowhatcanhebecompared? Hecanbecomparedtoinkwrittenuponafresh[new]sheetofpaper.Buthewho studiesasanadult,untowhatcanhebecompared?hecanbecomparedtoinkwritten onasmudged[previouslyusedanderased]sheetofpaper.rabbiyosebenyehudahof thecityofbabylonsaid,"hewholearnsfromtheyoung,untowhatcanhebe compared?hecanbecomparedtoonewhoeatsunripegrapes,anddrinks unfermentedwinefromhisvat.buthewholearnsfromtheold,untowhatcanhebe compared?hecanbecomparedtoonewhoeatsripegrapes,anddrinksoldwine. Rabbi(Meir)said:Donotpayattentiontothecontainerbutpayattentiontothat whichisinit.thereisanewcontainerfullofoldwine,andhereisanoldcontainer whichdoesnotevencontainnewwine. Wikipedia: TheparablesfollowtherecruitmentofMatthewasadiscipleofJesus,andappear tobepartofadiscussionatabanquetheldbyhim(luke5:29).[2] Themetaphorsinthetwoparablesweredrawnfromcontemporaryculture.[3] Newclothhadnotyetshrunk,sothatusingnewclothtopatcholderclothingwould resultinatearasitbegantoshrink.[4]similarly,oldwineskinshadbeen"stretchedto thelimit"[4]orbecomebrittle[3]aswinehadfermentedinsidethem;usingthem againthereforeriskedburstingthem.[4] 7