Tuesday 22 October 2024

Psalm 18:1-19

Background
Mark has already established the lines of Jesus’ ministry by this early stage in his gospel. Jesus was bringing about something profoundly new and it was disturbing some powerful people. Points of conflict with the scribes and the Pharisees have already been drawn, particularly Jesus’ willingness to sit down with 'sinners' such as tax-collectors and even call them to follow him. Jesus pronounced the forgiveness of sins (linked with healing) which startled the religious authorities. In today’s verses a new point of contention arises: religious and cultural observances seem to sit lightly on Jesus and he has novel interpretations of religious practices.

Verses 18-22 bring together two separate short pieces of tradition (18-20 and 21-22), each complete in itself. In different ways, they both emphasise the newness of what Jesus brings.

The issue in verses 18-20 is fasting. The Pharisees were serious people who wanted to be serious about their religious life. They fasted twice a week (see Luke 18:12), whereas most Jews fasted only on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29). Likewise, the disciples of John the Baptist fasted, perhaps reflecting their master’s asceticism. The criticism of Jesus and his disciples was that they weren’t serious about their religious life.

In response, Jesus emphasised rejoicing and feasting while he was with his followers. The image of the bridegroom is the first parable in Mark. But there also comes an early hint that Jesus' followers will be left without him, which will indeed be a time for fasting, a practice which developed in early Christianity by the time Mark wrote his gospel (c. 70 AD).

The two images in verses 21 and 22, Mark’s second and third parables, of new cloth patched onto an old garment and new wine in old wineskins, illustrate the radical newness of the gospel Jesus brings. Jesus is saying the new cannot be contained or live together with the old. It has been suggested that these pictures address the question of whether Christianity should or should not have separated from Judaism. They are quite complex images, reflecting a concern both for the new and the old.

To Ponder:

• Do you think the gospel of Jesus is radically new or do you think it's more a development of the religious tradition (Judaism) into which Jesus was born?
• Can you think of examples of new things in the contemporary world that are a complete break with the past? Are there others which are more a development of what has gone before?
• Read Psalm 18:1-19. Can you feel that confidence in God which the psalmist describes through the 'changes and chances' of life?

Prayer
God who has brought newness in Jesus, help me to keep moving forwards and feel safe in your care. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Alan Bolton
Alan Bolton is a supernumerary presbyter in the High Wycombe Circuit, having sat down in 2018. He preaches regularly round the Circuit and edits the ministerial obituaries for the Conference. His other occupations are family, music, model railways, walking and reading, with a close interest in politics.