A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

WHO IS JESUS FOR YOU?     

Matthew 9:14-17 “Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” 

Jesus came into the world to usher in the Kingdom of God. He came to bring something new, not to strengthen what already existed. The opening verse of today’s devotional verses emphasizes the tension that existed between the old and the new in regard to the worship of God. 

The Pharisees and John the Baptist’s remaining disciples were of the old guard. In today’s opening verse, these two groups raise a concern that Jesus’ disciples did not fast. The issue of fasting was a long-standing tradition among Jews. In essence, their question was how could His disciples be true followers of Yahweh and not fast? 

Jesus used this situation as a teaching moment. The piety of the Jewish nation was not the real issue. The real issue was the Pharisees and John’s disciples were treating Jesus and His teachings as an “add-on.” They wanted to keep the old and were, at least sometimes, willing to add something new.   

Jesus’ point was that true faith must have Him as its center. As He taught elsewhere, “If you know Me, then you know the Father who sent Me.” (John 14:7) As it doesn’t work to sew a piece of new cloth onto an old torn garment or put new wine into an old wine skin, so you cannot simply “patch” Jesus into your faith life. “Either,” He says, “you are for Me or you are against Me.” (Matthew 12:30)   

There is only one true God. There is only one true Jesus. There is only one true Word of God. To add to or take away from the Trinity or God’s word is to break the First Commandment. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4) When it comes to your salvation, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.“ (Acts 4:12)   

Prayer: Keep me, O Lord, in the one true faith to life everlasting. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Jesus, Jesus, only Jesus, Can my heart-felt longing still.  
Lo, I pledge myself to Jesus What He wills alone to will.  
For my heart which He hath filled, Ever cries, Lord, as Thou wilt. 

One there is for whom I’m living, Whom I love most tenderly;  
Unto Jesus I am giving What in love He gave to me.  
Jesus’ blood hides all my guilt; Lord, oh, lead me as Thou wilt. 

What to me may seem a treasure But displeasing is to Thee,  
Oh, remover such harmful pleasure; Give instead what profits me.  
Let my heart by Thee be stilled; Make me Thine, Lord, as Thou wilt. 

Let me earnestly endeavor Thy good pleasure to fulfill; 
In me, through me, with me ever, Lord, accomplish Thou Thy will.  
In Thy holy image built, Let me die, Lord, as Thou wilt. 

Jesus, constant be my praises, For Thou unto me didst bring  
Thine own self and all Thy graces That I joyfully may sing:  
Be it unto me, my Shield, As Thou wilt, Lord, as Thou wilt.  

Jesus, Jesus, Only Jesus // TLH 348