No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

Mark 2:18-22

No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.” Mark 2:21-22

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 2:21-22, which is the text for the second (of two) divisions per the commentary.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• "The pertinent question isn’t why Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast, but why the Pharisees didn’t feast and celebrate the presence of the Messiah! Here Jesus informs us that He came to make things new and not perpetuate the old. With the coming of the Messiah, Judaism must give way to Christianity—and rightly so, for in Jesus the Hebrew faith finds its fulfillment and completion."
• "In the first parable, attempting to unite the gospel of Jesus and the old religion of Judaism—exemplified by the Pharisees’ ritualistic fasting—is as foolish as trying to patch an old, worn-out garment with a new, unshrunk piece of cloth....With the coming of Jesus, everything is new. The old was not bad, but it is no longer usable. It has been replaced by something better. To continue to try to prop it up and give it a new face is useless. It is futile." 
• "When the real thing has arrived, we do not continue to worship the shadow (Hebrews 10:1)."
•  "[Jesus] is not an attachment, addition, or appendage to the status quo. He cannot be integrated into or contained by preexisting structures—even Judaism, the Torah, and the synagogue. The question is not whether the Pharisees will add Jesus’ teachings to their list of traditions and rituals—like sewing a new patch on an old garment—but whether they will forsake the shadow of the old covenant and embrace the reality of the new covenant."
• "Nor is it a question whether disciples will incorporate Jesus in their old way of life—like refilling an old container—but whether they will become entirely new receptacles for the expanding fermentation of Jesus and the gospel in their lives."
• "Jesus fulfilled the prophecies, types, and demands of the Law of Moses. The Law was ended at Calvary when the perfect sacrifice was once [for all] offered for the sins of the world (Hebrews 8–10). When you trust Jesus Christ, you become part of a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and there are always new experiences of grace and glory."   

Upon salvation, as believers become a new creation, we must consider how old habits and ways must die - there may even be people in our lives where distance may be needed as we seek to design life pleasing to God.  We should be willing to examine all aspects of our lives to assess whether an old habit or way of doing things is truly God pleasing.  Daily reading and study of God's Word is core to how we do this as scripture reveals sin to us.  Gospel centered relationships and fellowship with other believers also are key as "iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" Proverbs 27:17.  As I posted yesterday, humility is key as well because "He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30)."

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God worthy of my worship and devotion - You saved me and You continue to do a work in me, and are full of mercies that never cease and are new every morning.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not worthy as my sin continues - my old ways.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love you with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.