The Gospel of Mark, Pt. 14

As come to a very important part of Jesus' teaching and ministry in which he confronts the pharisees on a very important question about fasting. In Mark 2:18-22, Jesus answers the question of the pharisees using two metaphors. One, wedding guests don't fast when they're with the bridegroom, meaning that fasting is intended for the purpose of waiting and longing and seeking God. So with Jesus in their presence, there's no need to fast. Two, Jesus uses the metaphor of wine and wineskins to teach them that the Old Covenant ("old wine skins") are wholly incapable of containing the promises and purposes of the New Covenant ("new wine"). Therefore, old religious practices simply for the sake of tradition are insufficient in order for us to experience the growth and progress in ministry that God has for us.