Understanding Christian Freedom in the Light of Jesus’ Teachings

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Second Edition

Gospel Mark 2:18–22 Christian Freedom

John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Jesus was asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast, but John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast?” Jesus replied, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as the bridegroom is with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is away, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise the old garment will tear from the new, and the tear will be worse. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the wine will burst the wineskins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

(Mark 2:18–22 Second Edition)

Backgrounds of Fasting

Living as Christians offers us a unique opportunity to experience freedom in a profound and diverse way. However, it is essential to understand where this freedom really comes from and how it relates to Jesus’ teachings. Let us examine the Gospel of Mark, especially chapter 2:18–22, and deepen our understanding of our freedom.

In Jesus’ day, Jewish law imposed strict requirements on fasting. The Pharisees, who were the interpreters of the law, required fasting up to twice a week, which put great pressure on the people. For example, among the Jews of the first century, a part of the population observed strict fasting.

Jesus, as a prophet and teacher, did not enter directly into this legal debate. He used a progressive metaphor, comparing himself to a wedding feast. This parable provoked the thinking of his listeners and made them reflect on their relationship to fasting and the laws.

Jesus’ Parable of the Wedding Feast

When Jesus spoke of the wedding feast, he was referring to the kingdom of heaven, where joy and freedom should reign. The wedding feast was the most joyful event of the age, and Jesus wanted to convey that his presence brought with it something new and joyful.

This is important because it opens the door to understanding that keeping the law should not be a burden in our lives. Jesus did not abolish the laws, but gave them a new meaning. His message is a message of freedom that encourages us to enjoy the life God has given us without the burden of the law.

Resisting the Pharisees

The Pharisees wanted to challenge Jesus on the basis of the law, but Jesus answered them with special wisdom. He did not let them argue about the interpretations of the laws, but took the discussion to new dimensions. He asked his listeners: "Is it permissible to fast during the days of the bridegroom?" This raised questions in them about their own attitudes.

Jesus also referred to a future time: the time when the "bridegroom" will be gone, which means that there will be times in our lives when fasting is necessary. This teaches us the realistic meaning of life, which has both joy and sorrow.

Distinguishing the New and Old Covenants

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus uses two figurative metaphors: an old cloak and an old wineskin. He explains that the new cannot be mixed with the old. Jesus came to bring a new gospel that cannot be merged with the promises of the Old Testament. The value of the Old Testament is undeniable, but we need to understand how the new covenant complements its content. Through the new covenant, we can realize the principles of the law in Jesus, who fulfilled every point of the law.

What does this mean for us today? Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. This idea is central to understanding Christian freedom. Jesus’ words allow us to live freely in his grace.

The Law and the Gospel in Our Soul

God has placed within us a sense of the inner law. We must be aware of right and wrong. This inner law conveys to us moral principles that help us navigate the different situations of life.

At the same time, we need the gospel, Jesus’ message of grace and salvation that frees us from the curse of the law. We don’t have to fight to fulfill the law by meritorious works, but we can live by grace.

How should we view this combination? The law is not just a collection of rules; it is also God’s instructions that help us live well. When we live by the law, we honor the heavenly will and care for one another. The law is instructive, but it does not save. In Jesus, we have the ability to go beyond the requirements of the law. Freedom is not restrictive, but opens doors to opportunities to do good.

Applying Christian freedom to life

Understanding and implementing Christian freedom requires self-examination. Freedom does not mean that we can live any way we want. It calls us to live in love and according to God’s values. It is important to be ready to face challenges and defend our faith. Freedom is a responsible life in which we act for the good of others and constantly learn from his word.

Christian freedom is deeply rooted in the teachings and life of Jesus. He did not abolish the law, but gave it a new meaning that frees us from the shackles of the law. Jesus’ teaching on fasting allows us to see freedom in a broader context.

Freedom is a gift that calls us to love, to justify, and to serve one another. The presence of Jesus enables the daily joy that comes from understanding and the grace of Christ. Understanding Christian freedom is therefore a central part of our journey of faith and its implementation in everyday life.