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>Cloth and Wine

July 8, 2010 by Fritz

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“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment …Neither do men put new wine into old bottles … they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.” – Jesus (Matthew 9:16-17)

Jesus brings something comparable to new cloth and new wine. He doesn’t make his freshness fit into old religious systems, but he doesn’t throw them away either.

The context is fasting and, by inference, other religious observance. By saying, “…both are preserved” Jesus indicates the old has value but can’t contain all Jesus offers. Continuing the analogy, old garments are comfortable and new cloth is strong; both have value. Old wine skins hold mature full bodied elixir and new wine is fresh and tasty; again, both have value.

We can enjoy traditional liturgy and religious observances seeing Jesus in them and be touch by its maturity, beauty, and stability. We can also enjoy freedom of worship with hands raised, shouts of praise, and a Jericho march or two (but probably not in the same service).

Both are wonderful when we recognize the value is not the wine skins, but the wine.

– fritz

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>Wedding or Funeral?

July 7, 2010 by Fritz

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“Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?” – Jesus (Matthew 9:15)

Jesus said living with him was like being in a wedding – a celebration.

The short absence between the cross and Easter is past; Jesus offers to be with everyone who will allow.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – Jesus (Revelation 3:20)

So…is your life more like a wedding or a funeral?  The difference between the two is the presence of the one for whom the event is given.

-fritz

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Resurrection of the Body

July 6, 2010 by Fritz

“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” – Jesus after his resurrection (Luke 24:39)

Jesus’ resurrection was not “spiritual” as we, today, define the term. He didn’t become a ghost and he doesn’t live in our hearts and minds like our departed loved ones; he was bodily raised from the dead.

This has always been a part of the faith. When the Bible says in Psalms 16:10, “neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption”, it’s declaring the Christ’s body would not decay like everyone else’s; pretenders can’t make it past the grave1.

Certainly the resurrected body is different than when it died; it could materialize anywhere2, was not always recognized3, is no longer subject to illness or death4, and is “spiritual” in the sense that it is not limited to this earth’s physics5. But it is a new dimension of physical that can still eat6, be touched7, and interacted with like any other physical object8.

The resurrection of Christ defeated our last enemy, Death9, and when Jesus returns our mortal bodies shall change to be like his.10

That is the classic “hope” of the resurrection, not being some disembodied ghost somewhere but wholy redeemed individuals in an actual place Jesus has prepared for us.

– fritz

1 – Romans 1:3-4
2 – John 20:19
3 – John 21:4
4 – Romans 6:9
5 – 1 Corin. 15:44 Not “a spirit” but “spiritual body”
6 – Luke 24:41-42
7 – Luke 24:39
8 – Acts 1:3
9 – 1st Corinthians 15:26
10 – Philippians 3:21

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