No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made.
Matthew 9:16
Undeniably, we live in a culture that loves a quick fix. Drive through oil change, 15 minute tire rotation, fast food, and social media in 140 characters or less. This is nothing new. If there is a quicker way to fix something, why not? It seems like we would even sacrifice quality for expediency sometimes. Okay, maybe it just doesn’t “seem” like it. It’s true. I mean people are eating up some disgusting fast food like its going out of style.
We’d often rather throw a quick patch on a problem than really get to the heart of what’s wrong. Sometimes, things simply require significant maintenance or an extensive overhaul.
These words of Jesus come in Matthew 9:14-17 as a response to the questioning by the disciples of John over the issue of fasting, but the real issue is clear. They are concerned about what it takes to be righteous. “Why we doing this and your disciples aren’t?” they ask. “How do we maintain an appropriate level righteousness before the law?” they wonder. As we see over and over in the teaching of Jesus, he will quickly reveal (whether or not they realize it) that something serious, something extensive, is going to happen.
The religious structures that were in place are going to have to experience some serious overhaul. In fact, the old must be replaced with something new. A patch simply will not do anymore…
It’s as if the tires on this truck have been leaking for years. They’ve been the recipient of a can or two of Fix-a-flat, and the drivers have even resorted to just filling them up with air frequently, so as to keep the illusion of good tires. But this simply will not work anymore. Something that can actually hold air and carry this vehicle must replace the old, flat tire. A blow out is coming and a patch is no use. (coincidentally brought about by nails)
Jesus makes it clear. This old garment will only be made worse by yet another man-made patch. I come to offer real growth in a kingdom righteousness, he says.
Often, we do this to our own spiritual lives. When we aren’t sure what scripture means by something, we patch together an answer. When we are spiritually barren, we throw a little water on it. When we are emotionally wounded, we patch it up just enough to make it another day. Haven’t prayed in while? Let me toss one up to the big fella real quick, just to get by.
Jesus makes it clear. This old garment will only be made worse by yet another man-made patch. I come to offer real growth in a kingdom righteousness, he says.
Real transformation takes hard work. It requires time. It takes longevity and commitment. Discipline and devotion. Take time to allow Christ to bring a true, kingdom righteousness in your life. Stop trying to patch up your problems, and recognize that Jesus has come to put a new kind of righteous in your new life in Him. A patch simply won’t do.
