Outward conformity vs inward transformation.
Outward Conformity vs. Inward Transformation
Matthew 9:14-17
“But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results.”
The disciples of John were troubled. This was not the first time that the disciples of John had conflicts with the disciples of Christ. While John readily and wholeheartedly supported the rising ministry of Jesus, his disciples were more reluctant. For them, John represented the maintenance and advancement of the Jewish faith, while the disciples of Jesus seemed to be undermining the rituals and practices of the Jews. In their eyes, the criticism of the Pharisees that Jesus and his disciples were not rigidly upholding the Law and Traditions of the Jews seemed valid. Even though the Old Testament law did not specifically command fasting (except on the Day of Atonement), it was a familiar ritual of the Jewish leaders. For those who upheld the traditions as part of the expression of faith, the disciples of Jesus failed in their obedience.
In response to their questions, Jesus seeks to make a corrective in their thinking. They still operated under the Old Testament covenant, which focused on ritual acts. The problem with the rituals was not with the rituals themselves but with how the people treated them. Throughout the Old Testament, God established the sacrificial system, the dietary laws, and the ways to serve as object lessons for the people regarding spiritual truths. They were designed to point to inward qualities of dedication to God. However, as time passed, the people no longer sought the inward transformation that the rituals were to represent; instead, they focused on the practices themselves. He fulfilled the ways when Christ came, so the focus shifted to the new covenant. Under the new covenant, the focus is no longer on the outward practices but the inward transformation.
In response to the question of the Disciples of John, Jesus points out that a new order is now in place. The arrival of Jesus brought a new covenant with new practices appropriate to the new covenant. Instead of external rituals, the focus shifted to the inward heart of people. We are not to live in a new way where all our actions now reflect the salvation and presence of Christ. The unique garment and the new wineskin point us to the necessity of a new way of living.
The challenge for us today is that we can easily fall into the same misguided perspective of the disciples of John that focuses on external acts rather than inward transformation. We can go to church, be active in the church, and perform all the right actions to reflect being “a good Christian.” We can understand and speak the theological jargon. We can use all the right words and do all the right things. But external actions are not enough. What Christ desires to do within us is transform our whole life. The outward actions are not the means of righteousness but are to be a reflection of our righteousness. Character and godliness motivate and determine conduct. Like the disciples of John, we can quickly reduce our Christian faith to mere external acts. However, we need a change in our hearts that comes with surrendering to God. We must continually ask ourselves, “Are we just doing religious rituals, albeit Christian rituals, or are we genuinely being changed to conform to the person of Christ.” If our faith is only external rather than transformative, we live as old wineskins and worn-out garments. We need a complete and new transformation that comes only through Christ.
Matthew 9:14-17
“But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results.”
The disciples of John were troubled. This was not the first time that the disciples of John had conflicts with the disciples of Christ. While John readily and wholeheartedly supported the rising ministry of Jesus, his disciples were more reluctant. For them, John represented the maintenance and advancement of the Jewish faith, while the disciples of Jesus seemed to be undermining the rituals and practices of the Jews. In their eyes, the criticism of the Pharisees that Jesus and his disciples were not rigidly upholding the Law and Traditions of the Jews seemed valid. Even though the Old Testament law did not specifically command fasting (except on the Day of Atonement), it was a familiar ritual of the Jewish leaders. For those who upheld the traditions as part of the expression of faith, the disciples of Jesus failed in their obedience.
In response to their questions, Jesus seeks to make a corrective in their thinking. They still operated under the Old Testament covenant, which focused on ritual acts. The problem with the rituals was not with the rituals themselves but with how the people treated them. Throughout the Old Testament, God established the sacrificial system, the dietary laws, and the ways to serve as object lessons for the people regarding spiritual truths. They were designed to point to inward qualities of dedication to God. However, as time passed, the people no longer sought the inward transformation that the rituals were to represent; instead, they focused on the practices themselves. He fulfilled the ways when Christ came, so the focus shifted to the new covenant. Under the new covenant, the focus is no longer on the outward practices but the inward transformation.
In response to the question of the Disciples of John, Jesus points out that a new order is now in place. The arrival of Jesus brought a new covenant with new practices appropriate to the new covenant. Instead of external rituals, the focus shifted to the inward heart of people. We are not to live in a new way where all our actions now reflect the salvation and presence of Christ. The unique garment and the new wineskin point us to the necessity of a new way of living.
The challenge for us today is that we can easily fall into the same misguided perspective of the disciples of John that focuses on external acts rather than inward transformation. We can go to church, be active in the church, and perform all the right actions to reflect being “a good Christian.” We can understand and speak the theological jargon. We can use all the right words and do all the right things. But external actions are not enough. What Christ desires to do within us is transform our whole life. The outward actions are not the means of righteousness but are to be a reflection of our righteousness. Character and godliness motivate and determine conduct. Like the disciples of John, we can quickly reduce our Christian faith to mere external acts. However, we need a change in our hearts that comes with surrendering to God. We must continually ask ourselves, “Are we just doing religious rituals, albeit Christian rituals, or are we genuinely being changed to conform to the person of Christ.” If our faith is only external rather than transformative, we live as old wineskins and worn-out garments. We need a complete and new transformation that comes only through Christ.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
April
May
Finding BalanceThe Folly of AllObeying Those in LeadershipWhen Injustice ReignsKeeping Perspective in an Upredictable WorldFinding Success in the World of VanityThe Value of Wisdom in the Struggles of LifeThe Danger of Foolish ThinkingTrusting in God's Unseen HandEnjoy the MomentAct before it is too late.The Geneology of Christ: A Testimony of God’s Grace and SovereigntyChrist the KingThe Authority of Christ
June
The Compassion of ChristThe God who cares for us.The Power of JesusThe ServantChrist the JudgeThe Compassion of ChristScandalous GraceThe Power of Christ Over DeathWho Is Jesus?The Majestic KingThe TIming of GodThe Value of NothingThe Basis for Security in LifeThe Joy of The FatherThe Grace of JesusThe Divine WordThe Greatest Prayer
Categories
no categories
No Comments