A common idiom used in American culture (and a few others) is: “The Devil is in the details.” Interestingly, this idiom has changed greatly from its original meaning, being a derivative of the idiom “God is in the details” which was a positive description of the great intricacy of creation. Its meaning today, however, has become a negative, implying that if one ignores the details, difficulty or problems are likely to occur.
“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man” John 2:24, 25 (NASU).
It is easy to understand the idea of Jesus “knowing” man in terms of man’s condition or experience, as He was indeed God in the flesh (1:14). However, this knowledge is more than what it is to be a man, but knowledge of His fellow man.
When someone is nervous (for example a teenage boy worried about telling a girl about his interest) a common piece of advice is to “just be yourself.” This is a curious statement really, because it depends on one’s particular attitude toward “self” as to what this could really mean. We live in a society that is obsessed with self to the point that to esteem oneself is one of the highest virtues.
Under the American system of law, which is itself built upon the English system of Common Law, there is a type of defense known as the Affirmative Defense. This defense is used in civil matters to excuse or avoid liability, and more predominantly in criminal matters to excuse or avoid penalty under law.
In Matthew Chapter 9, Jesus Christ is confronted with a curious criticism. The disciples of John were bothered by the fact that Jesus’ own disciples were not engaging in fasting (Mat. 9:14-17). This confrontation teaches many things concerning the purpose of Jesus’ ministry, His attitude toward the traditions of the Pharisees, and His knowledge of His coming death and resurrection. Each of these topics is important, but we will instead focus upon the curious illustration Jesus uses to answer this challenge. Jesus uses the example of wineskins to describe the great change that was coming upon the world at the fulfillment of His ministry on earth and beyond.