Sermon in Minneapolis 18.09.2005

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, let us begin our services this evening with opening prayer.

Holy and righteous God, our dear Heavenly Father, again this evening we thank you for this moment to be able to gather together around your holy and unperishing word. We thank you for the gift of faith that we can possess through the merits of your Son, Jesus Christ. We ask that you would be present again this evening through your Spirit, blessing us, leading us and guiding us, also feeding us with your everlasting word, your gospel message. All of this we ask in the name of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

One of the texts for today, the 17th Sunday after Trinity, is from the Gospel according to St. Mark, chapter 2, verses 18 through 28. And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast. And they came and said unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but the disciples fast not? Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

No man sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment, else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse. No man puts new wine into old bottles, else the new wine does burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred. But the new wine must be put into new bottles.

And it came to pass that he went through the cornfields on the Sabbath day, and his disciples began as they went to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have you never read what David did? When he had need, and when he was hungry, he and they that were with him. How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar, the high priest, and did eat the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him.

And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath. Amen.

Jesus had been just previous to our text with Matthew or Levi, the tax collector. And we know how the Pharisees related to such people as the publicans and sinners and tax collectors. A publican was actually a tax collector. They considered that these tax collectors or publicans were great sinners because they actually took more money from the people than they were supposed to, spending the correct tax amounts to Rome but pocketing the rest.

Now when Jesus at times was in the company of these publicans and other such people that were considered by the people in society as sinners, Jesus was often criticized: why does he associate himself with such people at all? But now the Pharisees, after this discussion about Jesus being with such sinners, they continue to ask Jesus about an issue of fasting.

Fasting was a quite common practice in those times. There was often, perhaps several, a handful of fast days throughout the year. And part of the lifestyle of the people at that time was that they partook in these days of fasting. And often, fasting was associated with the outward behavior of dressing themselves in sackcloth and also sprinkling ashes upon themselves. Fasting was a sign of humility. It was often a sign of penitence.

We remember when Jonah the prophet eventually went into the city, the great city of Nineveh, which I'm sure was populated by more than a million people. First of all, he went 180 degrees the other direction due west. Boarded the ship. A storm came about upon the sea. The people on the ship drew lots. The lots fell on Jonah. And so they asked, who he is and what's his mission? He said, I am the reason for the storm. I have been disobedient to God. So he said, cast me overboard and the sea will become calm.

So after he was swallowed up by the whale for three days and three nights, and then after that the whale spit him up on shore, Jonah was obedient now to the will of God. Went to the great city of Nineveh in Assyria. God had told him that preached to this people that in 40 days then the city will be destroyed. The people then became penitent and they dressed themselves in sackcloth and sat down in ashes. And I'm sure with fasting then the Bible says they repented.

So there were certain days, a few in number, that were set aside for fasting. History relates that just at the time of Luther, just during pre-Reformation time in Germany, there was about 161 days set aside for fasting in that country. So we can see how the number had increased very many fold. And it became to be of utmost importance.

So here now, the Pharisees are coming to ask Jesus, after they had asked that why does he even associate himself with these publicans and sinners. Now they continue the question, continue questioning and say that in this way, and the disciples of John and the Pharisees used to fast. And they came unto him and said, why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, but the disciples do not?

As I mentioned, it was typical for various reasons for people to fast at that time among those people in that country. If there were times of distress and there was a threat of war, perhaps they would fast, as Israel did once before fighting a battle against the Philistines. Sometimes people would fast during times of sickness or mourning. Or, as I mentioned already, in the city of Nineveh, it was a sign of penitence. And so on and so forth.

Most often, this time of fast lasted one day. But we remember that there are various places in the Bible where, for example, Jesus, when he was out there in the wilderness, he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Just like the prophet Elijah. Once during his time in his life, there was a period when he fasted also for 40 days and 40 nights.

So this fasting became as an outward form of or show of godliness for many people at that time in that society.

Now, the prophet Isaiah writes of this in one of his letters or one of his chapters. And he says that the true fast is this. Wherefore have not we fasted, say they, and don't you see? Wherefore we have afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge. Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure and exact all your labors.

We remember one time when Jesus was telling about two people who came in the temple to pray. One was a publican who was a great sinner, and he knew his great sinfulness. And the other was a Pharisee who sat at the front of the temple or the synagogue and began to look heavenward and began to enumerate the things that he had done. He says, I have paid my temple tax for all the goods which I have bought. I have fasted two times a week.

And as I mentioned generally, there were one or two fast days a year. So he had gone above and beyond all expectations. But then he goes on to say, I have not been like this sinner. I have not stole. I have not murdered. I have not committed adultery. And I have not done these or those evil deeds.

And then the publican could not even lift up his gaze. And began to lament, O God, have mercy upon me, a great sinner.

But the Old Testament prophet, as I mentioned, talks about what is the true meaning of fast. Fasting is not first and foremost this, even though in the outward sense it is withholding food from ourselves as a show of piety and humility. And many people may fast just to somehow clean their body out of impurities.

And we know that there are, even in our society, people at certain times of the year who wish to fast for one reason or another. But then the prophet, as I mentioned, said, what is this true fast, acceptable fast, that God accepts? And he writes in chapter 58, is not this the fast that I have chosen or accepted or is acceptable unto me?

When we are able to loose the bands of wickedness. Or in other words, when we are able to preach to another the forgiveness of sins and the bands of wickedness that bind their heart, soul, and conscience through the power of the gospel are broken and loosened. And to undo the heavy burdens. And likewise, when someone comes and laments to us of their burdens, whatever they may be, and we can unload these burdens through the preaching of the gospel.

And to let the oppressed go free. And they that break every yoke. It is to deal your bread to the hungry. And that you bring the poor that are cast out of your house. When you see the naked, that you would cover him. And that you would hide not yourself from your own flesh.

And that you would do that. That you would do that.

So, in a very clear way, the prophet Isaiah then gives more insight onto what is the kind of fast, in fasting, that is pleasing and truly acceptable unto God, our heavenly Father. Father, especially preaching that gospel message and to help those who are in need in one way or another, spiritually and even temporally.

So then, in response to this question, Jesus said unto them when they asked, why don't your disciples fast when the disciples of John fast and the Pharisees fast? Jesus said, can the children of the bride chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them?

So here, Jesus is taking a picture or an illustration of a wedding, of a wedding celebration. And we know that a wedding is always a time of joy, happiness, and thanksgiving. And of course, the master of ceremonies, the most important person in this wedding celebration of which Jesus is talking about, is the bridegroom himself, Christ Jesus.

For we are the brides. The kingdom of God during the New Testament era is associated as a bride. Or an individual believer, a child of God, can be compared to a bride. And of course, the consummation of the time of engagement is when the wedding is then performed.

So we now at this time are engaged, betrothed to our bridegroom, Christ Jesus. And we are waiting for the consummation of this time of engagement. When will this everlasting wedding celebration take place and begin?

So, when Jesus was here upon this earth, and when he was in their midst, Jesus was saying that I, the bridegroom, am now in the wedding chamber. And the disciples, my followers, the believers, actually have no reason at all to fast.

Because fasting is a show of, a sign of mourning, sorrow, penitence, and grief, and so on and so forth. But Jesus was there in their midst. That's the reason, Jesus replies, that my disciples are not fasting. They are experiencing the true essence right now by faith of God's kingdom, which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

But there came that time when, as the Old Testament prophet had prophesied, prophet Zechariah said that when the shepherd is smitten, then the sheep will scatter. This took place when Jesus was there in the garden of Gethsemane.

And led by Judas Iscariot, the assistants to the high priest came with swords, spears, knives, and rope, carrying torches and lanterns, came into the garden of Gethsemane. And then they laid hands upon Jesus.

When Jesus was captured, that Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled. When the shepherd is smitten, the sheep will scatter. Literally, the sheep scattered in every direction. No one was left to defend and help Jesus.

Alone, he was led away to be interrogated by the Sanhedrin, the great council led by the high priest. So the next few days were surely times of sadness, times of mourning, times of grief, of separation from their Lord and master. Surely, they fasted during those few days.

And even after Jesus rose from the grave on Easter morning and met up with those two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus, they were downcast. Jesus, whom the two did not know at that time, asked, Why are you so downcast and sorrowful? They replied, Are you the only stranger in this country who does not know what has recently taken place?

Jesus then began to respond to them, quoting Old Testament scriptures and prophecies of what must happen to a coming Messiah. That he would suffer, die on the cross, be buried, but he would again rise from the grave on the third day.

After Jesus departed from their midst, having broken bread in their house, their eyes were then opened. Weren't our hearts burning when he was explaining the scriptures to us?

So we can say that we, our wedding guests, even though the everlasting wedding will not officially begin until we reach that eternal shore of glory, we are experiencing this time of betrothal, the time of engagement.

That great wedding celebration is coming. But the bridegroom is in the wedding chamber. And he has promised to be with us today, always, and even unto the end of the world.

And therefore we can be happy, we can be joyful, we can be of good cheer. As Solomon says in his Song of Solomon, we can eat and drink abundantly. That great festive table has been set before us.

But still we experience on the behalf of our old portion and old Adam that it isn't always, it doesn't seem like it's always a time of festivity. Or as the psalmist says, we travel through the valley of death. We travel through a valley of tears and darkness.

But even though this way goes through many times a valley of tears and darkness, it is a road that will lead us to our eternal shore and glory.

But then we can say that Jesus goes on to a second theme here in our text. And he uses two natural illustrations to bring out the point he is wishing to illustrate.

First he says that how senseless it is if we have an old ragged garment and we try to fix up this garment by just putting a new patch here and there. If the garment, the old garment is basically ragged and shredded, what is a patch here and there going to do? It doesn't serve a purpose.

And then likewise during the times of the Bible when they would make long journeys, for example across the arid desert, they would need to be supplied with some sort of liquid water. For example, a very common liquid that they drank at that time we could say was wine or a diluted form of wine.

Most of the water at that time was not drinkable. Likewise, if we go to South America today or Asia or Africa, if we would drink the water we would get sick. So they would drink wine, a diluted form of wine, and the active bacteria in there killed all of the live bacterias to make it drinkable.

So they would preserve and keep this liquid that they would use to drink to sustain themselves in leather pouches. They didn't have thermos bottles or plastic bottles like we do today. The only way to transport this and preserve it and keep it safely was to put it in leather pouches.

And so eventually this leather over a period of time would become hard and eventually it began to crack and break and withhold nothing.

So here Jesus is saying no man sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment else the new piece that fills it takes away from the old and that tear is made much worse.

Then likewise no man puts new wine into old bottles or old leather pouches, for the new wine has a very active ingredient and that active ingredient when it put in these old dried up stiff leather pouches will just cause the pouches to break wide open and they won't be able to contain anything at all.

So it makes sense then to put this new wine into new leather pouches. Likewise put a new patch on a new garment if you happen to get a small rip. But if the old garment is basically ragged and shredded already why not just begin completely anew.

So here Jesus is trying to talk in a general sense about the two covenants, the old covenant and the new covenant. The old covenant of course was established through the mediator of the Old Testament time whose name was Moses.

When Moses gave the law of the Ten Commandments unto the people of Israel, God's chosen nation. And this law of the Ten Commandments had its purpose, had its duty and still has its purpose and still has its duty.

So all throughout the Old Testament time there were prophecies given again and again of the coming Messiah. God had, we could say, actually given a promise that if someone is able to fulfill this demanding law of God it is then possible for a person on the basis of its fulfillment to attain everlasting life in heaven.

But of course in reality it is impossible because we are sinners, we are faulty, we are poor and we are wretched. Therefore there needed to be given and established this new covenant as the prophet Jeremiah writes in his 33rd chapter.

He said of this old covenant that was given to the people of Israel but then he talked about the new covenant which is the covenant of grace and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ our Lord God and this is what gives us power, this is what gives us strength.

And Jesus Christ himself is the fulfillment of the law and Christ is the end of the law unto salvation for all who believe. The old covenant was based on Moses and the law of Moses. The new covenant was based on Christ.

The old covenant was based on the perfection of ones who attempt to follow it and adhere to it. The new covenant is fulfilled on the perfection of Jesus Christ himself.

The old covenant was earned through observing its laws and commandments but the new covenant is a free gift of grace and the forgiveness of sins.

So the old covenant could only point to something else. The new covenant is that something else.

So what Jesus is saying is that he has fulfilled this old covenant. It has been fulfilled to the last letter and thus by and through faith we are able to own and possess this fulfillment through the merits of Christ Jesus in our hearts.

The old things have passed away, writes Paul to the Corinthians. Behold, everything is made anew. You are made as new creatures in Christ Jesus.

So then Jesus then goes on to talk about the last topic of three topics in our text and says in this way and it came to pass that he went through the cornfields on the Sabbath day.

So Jesus on the Sabbath day, the day of rest which is equivalent to our Sunday, Jesus was traveling through a cornfield and they happened to get hungry and so what did they do when they got hungry? They had no food. I'm sure the closest store that was in the village was miles and miles away so they plucked an ear of corn for each of them to satisfy their hunger.

What they actually did, if you think about the letter of the law regarding the Sabbath day, is plucking an ear of corn on this day, this holy day, was equivalent to doing the work of harvest and harvesting on the Sabbath day, the day of rest, is work and of course a transgression of the laws concerning the Sabbath.

When we think of the Pharisees at that time and as it was continued by the traditions of elders later on and written in their books, they had long lists of things that shouldn't be done, couldn't be done and were wrong to do on the Sabbath day.

They said if one would look at a mirror one shouldn't look in the mirror on the Sabbath day for you might be tempted to pluck out a great hair out of your head and that would be equivalent to leaping or one of the stages of harvest and that of course is breaking the laws concerning the Sabbath day.

They said you could only eat an egg which had been laid on the Sabbath if you killed after that the chicken for it breaking the laws of the Sabbath day.

And one could only walk on one side of the road because all of the houses which are on one side of the road, the same side of the road, are considered equivalent to being one in the same house and so it was right to and all right to walk within your own house but not from one house to another.

And we could find many other examples. It was unlawful to wear any ornaments on the Sabbath since this was construed to be carrying some sort of load or burden.

So we can see the long list of rules that the Pharisees had come up and written regarding how to keep the Sabbath day and what is considered breaking the Sabbath day.

So it came to pass when Jesus and his disciples went through the cornfields on the Sabbath day and his disciples began as they went to pluck ears of corn and the Pharisees said unto them, behold why do they do on the Sabbath day which is lawful? Why are they doing unlawful things on the Sabbath day?

Jesus responds to them, Have you never read what David did when he was in need and when he was hungry?

So Jesus tells another illustration from the Old Testament time and its history how David one time was hungry and he went into the temple and he then because he was hungry he took bread from a table which had stacks of bread and the bread was called showbread which was used in the temple worship service.

And this bread was only dedicated and set aside for the priests themselves and David wasn't a priest so in all reality David shouldn't have touched that bread it was only for the priests.

So Jesus himself says, well you're pointing fingers at me and the disciples for plucking an ear of corn on the Sabbath day because we need to satisfy our hunger but don't you remember what David did when he happened to be on the Sabbath day and in the temple starving to death with no food when he was hungered he and they that were with him?

How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest and did eat the showbread which is not lawful to eat but for the priests and gave also to them that were with him.

So what is the Sabbath day and what is the purpose and the intention of the Sabbath day?

We remember when God created the world in six days then he rested on the seventh. So God has also set aside for us and mankind a day of rest and this is for our blessing, this is for our health, this is as a time for recouping and recuperating ourselves.

All those we could say poor people who have in their life no such day where they can sit down and rest and relax from all toils of this life and of this journey.

So that was the original intent that we would have at least one day where we can just recoup, relax, regain our energies for the next week to come.

But it is also set aside as a day for gathering around the hearing of God's holy word as Luther says in his catechism that it is best honored in this way when we can gather around the hearing of God's holy word.

So Jesus says at the end of the text that the Sabbath was made for man so it's made for our set aside for our blessing as a help on our way and on our journey and man is not made for the Sabbath.

Therefore the Son of Man is the Lord also of the Sabbath day.

So we can say that the Sabbath day is a source of help not intended to be a burden in any way for us. It is set aside and meant to be as a time of relief for us not as a burden that we must bear.

So we can be happy, we can be fortunate when especially on this one day of the week we can have a time set aside where we can gather around the hearing of God's word even though we may do it at many other times during the week but especially on this day and to rest and relax from the toils of this week and of this life.

This day's theme is called Christian Liberty and Esa Duomala, a Christian brother who has already gone to rest, had written many different articles on many different topics and themes and died then an untimely death as a young man but many of his articles and writings were then published posthumously.

And one article he wrote was on this text that we have before us and when talking about Sabbath day and also the honoring and commemoration of the Sabbath day he concludes with one last paragraph and he says living Christianity is not a Christianity of rules and regulations.

And so he says when talking about this discussion between the Pharisees and Jesus regarding the Sabbath day and whether it was lawful for Jesus to pluck that ear of corn on the Sabbath day and so on and so forth then Jesus of course gave that illustration.

And he says that this discussion also reminds us that we would and people would never come under the condition of a Christianity of rules and regulations.

He says because in such a situation then a person begins to continuously meditate and think about the lives of not only themselves but the lives of others in the light of moral questions large and especially small moral questions.

And so he then says that this very detailed splitting of hairs and lifting and also we could say bright eyedness of another person's walk was very common to the Pharisees of that time.

But he concludes his little article and he says living Christianity leads us and guides us individually to travel to the purity of keeping personally faith and a good conscience and it leads us to the hill of Golgotha where we can behold our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who was that perfect sacrifice who offered his life and shed his blood on the middle cross of Golgotha for your sake and for my sake.

And we can behold even now the perfection in Jesus Christ that he has prepared for us.

But when we think of liberty we have been liberated by and through faith through the gospel message from the shackles of sin. We are like a free bird. We are no longer in the snares and the shackles of the enemy of soul.

So our heart and soul has been liberated through Christ Jesus and his merits.

But then there is also clear, we could say, warnings and admonitions in the Bible that this liberty then has not been given as a cloak for sin. We do not use this liberty as a liberty to live in sin.

No, but the Holy Spirit here in God's kingdom in our hearts and souls exhorts us to avoid sin, avoid the places of sin, and if and when we stumble, become wounded or fall then it exhorts us that we can come freely to the throne of grace where we can hear that good speaking voice of the blood of Jesus which has been shed by Jesus to the last drop.

It is a speaking voice today. It is a powerful voice yet today. It is a cleansing voice yet today and this is our source of refuge and help even now.

We can uplift our hearts and believe sins forgiven in Jesus name and blood. It lifts, it carries and will bring us one day to our heavenly home in Jesus name. Amen.