The Pharisees are trying their best to show off their righteousness. But sadly they have failed to understand the truth that no man in this world is righteous except JESUS CHRIST who took the form of man (Psalm 14:1-3). JESUS explains this in a parable. The Old covenant is represented by the old cloth and the old wine skin in this parable. The Old covenant required us to keep everything in the Mosaic law to be righteous and breaking even one law would make us unrighteous. And unrighteousness would ultimately lead us to hell. And that is a sad reality for humans. But we need not lose heart, cause our dear BRIDEGRROM comes with a new covenant. The new covenant here is represented by the new clothing and new wine skin. Here, JESUS fulfils every thing in the Mosaic law, lives a righteous life and HE doesn’t stop there. HE goes to the cross to pay the debt for our unrighteousness, thus exchanging HIS righteous life for ours. HE rises up 3 days claiming that death has no hold on HIM. So those who believe in JESUS CHRIST would be bestowed with HIS righteousness as a gracious gift to make them right before GOD and when we are clothed with the righteousness of JESUS, that gives us the grace to live a pleasing life before GOD.
Now, how do become a part of this new covenant? Do we have to meet a certain level of righteousness to be a part of it? No, not at all! All that you have to do is to admit that you are a sinner as Simon admitted and repent of it, and JESUS CHRIST will gladly exchange HIS life for yours, making you right with GOD. And when you are made right with GOD, the righteousness of CHRIST will help you live a pleasing life before GOD as Levi did. Before he followed CHRIST he selfishly made money for himself, but after he left his old way of life, he reflected the selfless love of CHRIST to the other tax collectors and sinners around him by introducing them to JESUS.
The Pharisees tried to bring their own righteousness to please GOD by trying to keep up with the law and their traditions, but JESUS invites them to leave behind their self righteousness and to be made right with HIM through the new covenant for which HE paid a huge price for us. JESUS also warns them of the danger of being satisfied in self righteousness, in v.39 HE says that no one drunk with the old one will desire for the new one. So beware of being satisfied with your self righteousness that leads you to miss out on the true righteousness.
Your self righteousness and CHRIST’s righteousness do not go hand in hand.
No comments:
Post a Comment