"Fresh Wineskins for the Bridegroom's Friends"

Jan.20/02 Mt.9:9-17

A) Come join the Party!

             Suppose someone says to you, "I'm having a party. Can you come?" That may bring a mixed reaction in us. We know very well parties are festive occasions, usually celebrating something happy like a birthday, or at least a get-together among friends. There's an air of excitement about a party. But these positive feelings may be tinged with some trepidation. Who else will be there? Do I know them? Introverts gasp, Oh no - I'll have to mix! And then there's the matter of what to wear; how to dress so you're not boring, yet you also don't want to stick out like a sore thumb. Parties are exciting, but there's lots to consider.

             The Kingdom of God is a party, in a way. We look forward to a banquet at the end of time. Jesus likens it to a marriage feast. In this earthly life, we haven't yet come into possession of the whole thing but just have the "earnest" or promise or "invite" of the Holy Spirit; when we say "yes" to Jesus it's like sending in our RSVP to reserve a spot. The Kingdom of God is a party, in this life not so much physical eating and drinking as it is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom.14:17) Part of the fun of the party is letting others in on the secret that it's already started!

             One day Jesus invited Matthew to come join the party, and he did. Matthew 9:9 says Jesus told this fellow at the tax collector's booth, "Follow me", and Matthew got up and followed him. Just like that. Matthew was ready for a party -- the party of walking with Jesus.

             Now you might wonder about the Lord including Matthew on the guest list if you knew a thing or two about tax collectors. If you wanted anybody "respectable" to come to the party, a tax collector was the wrong person to invite. Bad enough that they collaborated with the occupying regime of the enemy, the Romans. On top of that, corruption was widespread. Historically we know that Cicero called for the dismissal of the Syrian proconsul because Jews and Syrians were being relieved of taxes on account of graft. So tax collectors were wealthy, but NOT well-liked.

             In turn, Matthew invited Jesus to a party of his own, along with a whole bunch of other tax collectors and "sinners". The word may refer to those who had actually been excommunicated from the synagogue, their reputation was so bad. And Jesus made Himself at home right there in the midst of them. Meanwhile there were onlookers, Jesus' critics and those who were wondering about them. Commentator Robinson describes the scene as a "strange medley" of folk: Jesus, the four fisher disciples, Nathanael, Philip, the smug-and-proper Pharisees with their students looking on in disdain, not to mention the disciples of John the Baptist. Both these latter groups would be hungry on account of the customary day of fasting; Pharisees fasted twice a week. Compared to today's denominations, the groupings and sects in Jesus' day were just as diverse!

             Just as we might have a mixed reaction to a party, the Pharisees were of quite a different opinion than Matthew and his unesteemed guests. This was a volatile combination of people; something was bound to blow. At the opposite end of the spectrum from "sinners", the term "Pharisee" meant someone separated, distinguished: they were models of respectable religion. They wouldn't be caught DEAD in a tax collector's house, much less eating with him. These days the significance of eating together is somewhat lost to us; in Jesus' culture, if you ate with someone that symbolized acceptance of them. You were welcoming them on the same plane as yourself, almost like a partnership. Last week Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman drew the wrath of many when he shook the hand of a member of the Hells Angels. Jesus eating with Matthew represented much more than a handshake: the "Teacher" seemed to be entering an alliance with the obviously unholy.

             Speaking of parties: Who would be the LAST person YOU would invite to a party you were hosting? You would find it horrifying if which person showed up? Be prepared: God may allow your paths to cross in order to give us an opportunity to minister to them, to reach out in acceptance as Jesus did to Matthew. In Jesus' account of the sheep and the goats at judgment, the King replies, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Christ tests us by coming to us in those whom we esteem most lowly. Who's least on your list?

             Well, the Pharisees got tired of standing there watching all this good food being consumed while their own stomachs were rumbling. But what grumbled more in them was their indignation. What was this Preacher trying to prove, stooping to eat with such weasels? So they sidled over to one of the disciples and asked, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Note they did not ask Christ directly. They took the cowardly route, getting at him through the back door. Also they might have been seeking to undermine Jesus' credibility amongst His disciples - pretty sneaky! The tone of their question is better reflected in the New Living Translation: "Why does your Teacher eat with such SCUM?"

             Verse 12: "On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.'" As if to say, "If these people are as sinful as you allege, they're the very ones who need a Saviour!" The church is not simply a hotel for saints, but also a hospital for sinners. Jesus didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners; these are the ones He gave His life for, to save us from the painful penalty due us.

             Christ might be implying, What did you expect? What's it all about, anyway? Being cared FOR and catered to, OR extending God's healing grace to others, being the doctor? Do we get our energy, God's party favours, from trying to stay "one up" on everybody else, owing nothing to anyone (not even God - that's why the Pharisees had lists of the rules they kept)...kind of a "sump hole" as far as grace is concerned... OR do we discover God's goodness by dying to self, giving ourselves to Him, becoming a stream of Christ's living water to others, serving and accepting them?

             In verse 13 Christ challenges the "holier than thou" group to an attitude check, to stop looking down their noses. "But go and learn what this means," he says, and quotes Hosea 6:6: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Love, not legalism or liturgy. What are God's priorities, what does God most want? "I desire mercy..." The Greek word "eleos" is defined as "kindness or good will towards the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to help them." What's God after most of all, more even than our money? "I desire mercy, not sacrifice..." So kind hearts and helpful deeds are more pleasing to God than outward ceremonial or great shows of religiosity.

             Is our church a "party" with Jesus, that people like Matthew would be itching to come to? Are we reluctant to invite certain types of people, or have them crash our party? Rick Warren in Purpose-driven Church recommends young churches define their target group, who they're trying to reach with the gospel. But it's let's not be like the Pharisees and target people "just like us". Unconsciously we may exclude people on the basis of need, preferring those who apparently "have it all together". It's easier to remain aloof from those who have family problems, addictions, emotional hang-ups, or poor clothing. But Jesus is looking for Matthews and Mary Magdalenes to come to His party. Maybe the tax collector wasn't all that impressive at first glance, but you've got to admit he obeyed instantly, leaving his old life behind. He witnessed to the difference Jesus made by throwing a party of his own, inviting all his unsavoury friends -- figured these grafters would want to get in on a good deal if they saw one. He did happen to write the account we're reading today, 2000 years later. When Jesus looked at Matthew, he saw much more than just a tax collector. So he called him to the party of the Kingdom. As Matthew made the adjustments in his life, Christ adjusted to the culture of the tax collectors: we're not told whether Jesus particularly cared for the "country 'n' western" music or whatever it was Matthew's DJ was playing for background entertainment. Christians and churches today often need to adjust non-essentials, too.

             "Come join the party!" Fellowship with Jesus causes the neediest to celebrate. Get on board with what God's mercy is achieving; don't get hung up on your own respectability or conceit.

B) All together now: S-T-R-E-T-C-H 2-3-4

             The account suggests there may have been another sect observing the "strange medley" at Matthew's party: the disciples of John the Baptist. Like the Pharisees, they two fasted, standing there with stomachs rumbling while Jesus feasted. Verse 14 says, "Then John’s disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" What gives here, Lord? Aren't you supposed to be a spiritual leader? (At least they approached Jesus directly, not sneakily sneeringly suggesting sedition to the disciples as the Pharisees did.)

             Jesus answers, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?" Wake up! Can't you sense Matthew's delight? We've got to celebrate! John's disciples were so stuck in their religious routines that they became skeptical about a genuine awakening amongst the low-lifes before their eyes. It's like Jesus is saying, "The life of the party has just arrived, the party's in full swing, and all you can think about is the towels in the bathroom not staying folded neatly on the rod!" Get a life!

             In Jewish weddings, the bride was brought to the groom's father's house; the groom's buddies were happy for him as the marriage reached its consummation. Jesus is the bridegroom, the church is the bride; the reason for the party was Matthew's delight in a newfound eternal relationship. But the fasters couldn't get their attention off their own self-inflicted religious endurance test. As the bridegroom's friends rejoice purely for their friend's sake, Jesus challenged John's followers to get out of themselves enough to understand that it was fitting to join in Matthew's celebration dinner.

             Christ is our fitness instructor at the ethereal gym calling out, "Altogether now - STRETCH 2-3-4!" Break out of your rigid self-righteousness, revel in the wonders God's doing in other people's lives! Jesus offers a couple of analogies of the need to stretch - cloth and wineskins (unfortunately they didn't have spandex back then!). Verses 16-17: "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 men 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."

             In the case of the cloth, the old cloth is rigid and the unshrunk cloth shrinks when washed, the dynamic change causes a tear. In the wineskins, the new ones are flexible enough to stretch as the wine ferments and gas pressure builds; old wineskins would become brittle with age and burst during fermentation, wasting the wine. If God's Kingdom is active, alive, changing us and our circumstances, we need to have some "give" in our lives. When we adjust to what God is doing, He'll supply grace to cope with the changes. Man-made religion fossilizes us in routines WE can control, rituals that make us feel comfortable. Biblical faith on the other hand expands our horizons to grow with God, get out of ourselves, be captivated and find true joy in the Bridegroom's company. Stretch capacity allows us to begin to enjoy God's party with Matthew and associates. Trust God; He knows the limits of your stretchability; you're safe, He wants the wine in us to be safe. His intention is not for there to be tears or "schism".

Serving the Unlikely: a Party Dress

             Tony Campolo tells of an associate pastor friend of his in California (we'll call her Jane) who loved to go to Nordstrom department store during the Christmas season. Jane couldn't afford to buy much at that store, but she enjoyed going there to take in the magnificent Christmas decorations, and live music on several floors.

             On one of her visits, Jane was on the top floor of the store looking at some of the finest dresses in the world, when the elevator doors opened and out stepped a bag lady. Her clothes were dirty and her stockings were rolled down to her ankles. She just stood there holding a gym bag in her right hand. It was obvious that this woman was out of place and not about to buy anything. The dresses were in the thousand-dollar category, and this bag lady did not seem like the kind of person who would have that kind of money.

             Jane expected a security guard to promptly arrive and usher the bag lady out of the store. But instead of security guards, a stately saleswomann came over to her and asked, "May I help you, madam?" The bag lady said, "Yeah! I wanna buy a dress." "What kind of dress?" the saleswoman asked in a polite and dignified manner. "A party dress!" the bag lady answered. "You've come to the right place," said the saleswoman. "Follow me. I think we have some of the finest party dresses in the world."

             The saleswoman then spent more than ten minutes matching dresses with the woman's skin colour and eye colour, trying to help her ascertain which dress would go best with her complexion. After selecting 3 dresses that the saleswoman deemed to be most appropriate for the bag lady, she bade the woman to follow her into the dressing room. Jane hurried into the adjoining dressing room and put her ear up to the wall. She wanted to hear all of this. It was remarkable!

             The bag lady tried on the dresses with the saleswoman's help. But then, after about 10 minutes, the bag lady said sternly, "I've changed my mind. I'm not going to buy a dress today!" The saleswoman said gently, "That's okay. But here's my card. Should you come back to Nordstrom department store, I do hope that you will ask for me. I would consider it such a privilege to wait on you again."

             Wow! Wouldn't that have stretched us to wait on that poor woman so graciously? The saleswoman showing party dresses exhibited the kind of love and mercy that Jesus shows in inviting us to come join His party. The friends of the bridegroom share in his joy, and from that centre in us, the Lord spreads the party of God's Kingdom to others. Even the tax man! Let's pray.