Jesus is challenged by John’s followers about fasting (v14). Jesus’ response does not speak against fasting but rather His presence with the disciples was a time of celebration (v15). Fasting is something people do when burdened so as to focus on prayer.

What Jesus is concerned about is that people’s Christianity can become primarily about certain does and don’ts. The danger is that too much of a focus on rules can become restrictive and hinder spiritual life.

The two pictures of the patch on the garment (v16) and the wine and wineskin (v17) are to illustrate Jesus’ principle. The problem was that the new patch on the old garment and the old wineskin with new wine, would not be able to cope with change and growth. What Jesus is saying is that Christian life should display a growth and vibrancy and if we become a legalist that will work against such spiritual change. A legalist is someone who focuses on rules first or who focuses on rules separately from a relationship with Christ.

We don’t ignore God’s rules of course, but they must have their proper place in a loving relationship with the Lord Jesus.