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both the new maketh a rent； and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old。〃 The message of John the Baptist was not to be interwoven with tradition and superstition。 An attempt to blend the pretense of the Pharisees with the devotion of John would only make more evident the breach between them。
Nor could the principles of Christ's teaching be united with the forms of Pharisaism。 Christ was not to close up the breach that had been made by the teachings of John。 He would make more distinct the separation between the old and the new。 Jesus further illustrated this fact； saying； 〃No man putteth new wine into old bottles； else the new wine will burst the bottles； and be spilled； and the bottles shall perish。〃 The skin bottles which were used as vessels to contain the new wine； after a time became dry and brittle； and were then worthless to serve the same purpose again。 In this familiar illustration Jesus presented the condition of the Jewish leaders。 Priests and scribes and rulers were
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fixed in a rut of ceremonies and traditions。 Their hearts had become contracted； like the dried…up wine skins to which He had compared them。 While they remained satisfied with a legal religion； it was impossible for them to become the depositaries of the living truth of heaven。 They thought their own righteousness all…sufficient； and did not desire that a new element should be brought into their religion。 The good will of God to men they did not accept as something apart from themselves。 They connected it with their own merit because of their good works。 The faith that works by love and purifies the soul could find no place for union with the religion of the Pharisees； made up of ceremonies and the injunctions of men。 The effort to unite the teachings of Jesus with the established religion would be vain。 The vital truth of God； like fermenting wine； would burst the old； decaying bottles of the Pharisaical tradition。
The Pharisees thought themselves too wise to need instruction； too righteous to need salvation； too highly honored to need the honor that comes from Christ。 The Saviour turned away from them to find others who would receive the message of heaven。 In the untutored fishermen； in the publican at the market place； in the woman of Samaria； in the common people who heard Him gladly； He found His new bottles for the new wine。 The instrumentalities to be used in the gospel work are those souls who gladly receive the light which God sends them。 These are His agencies for imparting the knowledge of truth to the world。 If through the grace of Christ His people will become new bottles； He will fill them with new wine。
The teaching of Christ； though it was represented by the new wine； was not a new doctrine； but the revelation of that which had been taught from the beginning。 But to the Pharisees the truth of God had lost its original significance and beauty。 To them Christ's teaching was new in almost every respect； and it was unrecognized and unacknowledged。
Jesus pointed out the power of false teaching to destroy the appreciation and desire for truth。 〃No man；〃 He said； 〃having drunk old wine straightway desireth new： for he saith； The old is better。〃 All the truth that has been given to the world through patriarchs and prophets shone out in new beauty in the words of Christ。 But the scribes and Pharisees had no desire for the precious new wine。 Until emptied of the old traditions； customs； and practices； they had no place in mind or heart for the teachings of Christ。 They clung to the dead forms； and turned away from the living truth and the power of God。
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It was this that proved the ruin of the Jews； and it will prove the ruin of many souls in our own day。 Thousands are making the same mistake as did the Pharisees whom Christ reproved at Matthew's feast。 Rather than give up some cherished idea； or discard some idol of opinion； many refuse the truth which comes down from the Father of light。 They trust in self； and depend upon their own wisdom； and do not realize their spiritual poverty。 They insist on being saved in some way by which they may perform some important work。 When they see that there is no way of weaving self into the work； they reject the salvation provided。
A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ； for it is a loveless； Christless religion。 Fasting or prayer that is actuated by a self…justifying spirit is an abomination in the sight of God。 The solemn assembly for worship； the round of religious ceremonies； the external humiliation； the imposing sacrifice； proclaim that the doer of these things regards himself as righteous； and as entitled to heaven； but it is all a deception。 Our own works can never purchase salvation。
As it was in the days of Christ； so it is now； the Pharisees do not know their spiritual destitution。 To them comes the message； 〃Because thou sayest； I am rich； and increased with goods； and have need of nothing； and knowest not that thou art wretched； and miserable； and poor； and blind； and naked： I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire； that thou mayest be rich； and white raiment； that thou mayest be clothed； and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear。〃 Rev。 3：17； 18。 Faith and love are the gold tried in the fire。 But with many the gold has become dim； and the rich treasure has been lost。 The righteousness of Christ is to them as a robe unworn； a fountain untouched。 To them it is said； 〃I have somewhat against thee； because thou hast left thy first love。 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen； and repent； and do the first works； or else I will come unto thee quickly； and will remove thy candlestick out of his place； except thou repent。〃 Rev。 2：4； 5。
〃The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit： a broken and a contrite heart； O God； Thou wilt not despise。〃 Ps。 51：17。 Man must be emptied of self before he can be； in the fullest sense； a believer in Jesus。 When self is renounced； then the Lord can make man a new creature。 New bottles can contain the new wine。 The love of Christ will animate the believer with new life。 In him who looks unto the Author and Finisher of our faith the character of Christ will be manifest。
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Chapter 29
The Sabbath
The Sabbath was hallowed at the creation。 As ordained for man； it had its origin when 〃the morning stars sang together； and all the sons of God shouted for joy。〃 Job 38：7。 Peace brooded over the world； for earth was in harmony with heaven。 〃God saw everything that He had made； and； behold； it was very good；〃 and He rested in the joy of His completed work。 Gen。 1：31。
Because He had rested upon the Sabbath； 〃God blessed the seventh day； and sanctified it；〃set it apart to a holy use。 He gave it to Adam as a day of rest。 It was a memorial of the work of creation； and thus a sign of God's power and His love。 The Scripture says； 〃He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered。〃 〃The things that are made；〃 declare 〃the invisible things of Him since the creation of the w