The Feast at Matthew's House Matthew 9:10-13Mark 2:15-17Luke 5:29-32John (no reference) Luke 529 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.

Matt 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

Mark 2:15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

It is characteristic of the true disciple that he wishes other men like himself (Act. 26:29).Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. John 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

The man who was always for making money is now spending it freely. He who sat formerly in the “receipt of custom” is now at the feet of the Saviour; and is doing all he can to bring others under the sound of His voice.

Luke 530 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

Matt 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

Mark 2:16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

Recovering Phariseeby Buddy GreeneI'm a pharisee in recoveryWith new eyes I can see a big sinner in meBut it's the way of my human heartTo confess other people's sin,Reluctant to admit my part or the deeper problem within.But, thank God, He won't let me be, or remain in my hypocrisySooner or later I'll be on my kneeshonest to God a recovering Pharisee

Publicans and sinnersThe lowest class of people in the sight of the Scribes and Pharisees:

Fallen woman (Luke 7:39) Blind man (John 9:31,34)

There is no classification to a dead man; one may be more rotten than another but they are both dead.Num 18:15 Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.

Matt 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Luke 5:27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. Rom 3:20-23 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 1Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Matt 9:12-13 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:8-9 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Christ’s mercy is to the sinner, but not to his sins Ps 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself , and repent in dust and ashes.

Ezek 36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

1Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Luke 531 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matt 9:12-13 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus defends his disciples for not fastingMatthew 9:14-17Mark 2:18-22Luke 5:33-39John (no reference)

Matt 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

Mark 2:18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

Luke 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?

Not only do the disciples sometimes feast with publicans, but do not observe the Jewish fasts either (those practised by the disciples of John the Baptist).Fasting is not a Divine commandment in the Old Testament; it was a voluntary practice among people who were in deep need. Isa 58:3-7, Zech 7:5-6

The N.T. Christians did fast after He was ascended (Acts 13:1-3, 14:23, 2Cor 11:27)

Luke 534 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

Mark 2:19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

“Children of the bride chamber”

Israel as attendants on Christ as Bridegroom with His bride, the church (Eph 5:23-33, John 3:29)

John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and

heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

Matt 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Mark 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Luke 535 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

In the absence of the heavenly Bridegroom, the Church is exposed to trials (Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?).

After the rapture the Jews in the Tribulation will fast, and then they will attend as friends of the Bridegroom when He returns with His Bride.

Luke 536 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.

Mark 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

Matt 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

The garment and Cloth are to cover the human body: (Isa 59:17, 61:10, Luke 15:22)

Luke 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Or a covering for the body

Isa 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

God’s Light is a garment; the heavens are likened to cloths which can be folded up.

Job 10:11 Body is a garment for the soul (Mark 8:36, Luke 9:25) Job 38:8-9 Clouds are a garment for the sea Ps 102:25-26 Earth and the Heavens are a garment Ps 104:2 Light a garment for God Ps 104:5-6 The deep was a garment for the earth Ps 109:17-18 Cursing is the garment of a wicked man Prov 30:4 The waters a garment for darkness (Job 38:9-14 Isa 51:6 Earth a garment for hell (Amos 9:2) Mal 2:16 Cloths are a garment to cover abuse Jude 1:23 Self righteousness a garment to cover rotten flesh

Luke 5

37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. 38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

Mark 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Matt 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Luke 539 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

New wine= new cloth; Old bottles= old garment

New wine is a type of the Holy Spirit (Act 2:13, Mat 26:29, Eph 5:18)

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Matt 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

New wine cannot be found in a bottle but in the cluster (Isa 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.)

In the Old Testament there was no permanent indwelling of the H.S. (Ex 31:3, Num 11:17, 29, 27:18, Neh 9:30, Isa 63:11)

The disciples of John the Baptist (Mat 9:14) are asking the question. John the Baptist is the “end of the law and prophets” and is not part of the Bride (Luke 16:16, John 3:29)

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

For the indwelling of the H.S. it will take a new “Body” (system) not the “old” Testament Jewish nation.

The nation of Israel= old garment,

New garment= the “Body of Christ”

The Jewish system was now becoming “old and ready to vanish away” (Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.), and Christ was about to replace it by something new. The Pharisees had multiplied fasts and ceremonies, which were like patches upon the whole system; and even John the Baptist had nothing better to suggest, but had followed the same method in his work of reformation. Christ did not purpose to repair the old garment, but to give a new one.

Lev 2610 And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. 11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.