In this story, we observe the Pharisees and teachers of the law, questioning why Jesus’ disciples are "eating and drinking” rather than fasting like others who are serious about following Yahweh. Jesus’ response highlights the radical new thing that Yahweh is now doing through him. He asserts that the new thing God is now doing, cannot be combined with the old things, and he acknowledges the real challenge it will be for those invested in the former way of living to accept this new thing. Nonetheless, despite the difficulty of change, this new thing is actually a reason for great joy and celebration.
