Matthew 9:16
“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.”
Jesus is telling the pharisees that He is bringing a new way. His message of grace and internal transformation won’t mix with the system of the Law and sacrifices. This is a gentle way to do it. To outright say it would have been to shocking. It didn’t matter because they didn’t accept it. At least not en mass.
When we come to Christ, there will be many changes in us. If there is a constant in christianity, it’s change. At first it’s difficult to do this. In time it’s easier.
My first difficulty was thinking that He wanted me to abandon the issue forever instead of temporarily. It may be an abandonment, but we should ‘t assume that it is. That is unless it’s sin. My mind went extreme and thought the worst.
God will work with us. He gave it gently to the pharisees. He will prepare our hearts and help us. Remember that He said that “His yoke is easy and His burden is light”. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter. He helps. Ask Him.
Isaiah 55:9 says, ““For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” His ways are better. We cling to addictions and things that harm us. He relaxes our grip and slowly takes them from us. “to give them a crown of beauty for ashes”, (Isaiah 61:3b).
Part of being a christian is to make Him our Lord. That means He is boss. That takes a while to happen. There is plenty of tantrums and gripping too tightly. We learn that His ways are better.
He loves us and wants the best for us. To know His love and grace is amazing. It’s a great relationship. God is now our Father. Regardless if our earthly father was good or not, He is a great Father. All the good things we think of with a good earthly father applies to Him, but far more.
Our faith in Him grows. We learn of His love, power and wisdom. It becomes easier. It helps that we aren’t responsible to know it all. Just take one step at a time.
The new Way has the Holy Spirit. He is omnipresent, which means He is everywhere at once. He’s called the Comforter. He’s always with us. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” That is so amazing. We aren’t lonely. That helps our confidence of being in the faith.
Thank You, Lord, for the new Way. It’s so joyful and good. That’s who You are.