No man putteth a piece of new cloth in an old garment,

for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment,

and the rent is made worse. Matthew 9:16

 

 

     The word which means choosing between one thing and another. It might appear that the practice of using patches is being frowned upon. Not so: it is the fabric choice. When the garment is washed new fabric will shrink. 

     That might explain a few things. In my early days of sewing I did not know about pre-washing fabric. Since none of the fabric was pre-shrunk ripping was not an issue, but the garment was not the right size after washing.

     Before the disciples can ask for an explanation He is called away. Off He goes to heal a sick child and we’re left holding the bag of fabric scraps. This is where understanding from the spirit comes in handy. He is answering the Pharisees. It was an accusation disguised as a question. They claimed to want to know why the disciples did not fast while they themselves fast often. What they were saying is we are more righteous because we fast more. First Jesus talks about fasting during a time of mourning and then He gets to the fabric and wine skins.

      I believe the old garment is the old laws that the Pharisees still followed. Jesus came to show a new way. Fasting still had its place but the disciples had new faith that could not be applied to the old ways. Jesus called His disciples to put on brand new garments.

      Which do you choose? Are you going to try to apply the principles of Christian living to your old ways or are you going to take on a whole new way of living?