Something New Is Happening

In a few weeks time we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the birth of the Son of God. Thirty years later he began his earthly ministry; something new began to happen.

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. (Mark 2:19-21 NIV)

The disciples of John and those of the Pharisees were fasting, probably in accordance with their custom. Jesus' disciples weren’t. The question to Jesus, which was repeated so many times during his life, was “why are you so different?” “Why are you breaking the mould?”

Jesus uses the picture of marriage as he says to those listening, “the bridegroom is here, it’s time to party!” Something new is happening and the challenge for us, as for the disciples, is are we willing to embrace it. Jesus tells us a frightening truth: too many people take a small bit of the new and try to attach it to what already exists. It doesn't work, the new will pull away and you’re left with the old messed up garment.

Jesus reveals the Kingdom of Heaven, which is the Kingdom of Love. It is completely new and radically different to anything that has gone before. Don’t try and patch the old, traditional way of life; why not fully embrace the path of love. As Paul writes: “Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in love” (Col 3:14 AMP).

I invite you to take off the old garment of religious performance and then wrap yourself in love. That garment of love covers everything. As you do, you will discover that the Father's love changes everything. If you would like to read more I recommend my latest book “It Changes Everything” - available on Amazon.