New Wineskins

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” 

Mark 2:22

When I read the Gospels I marvel at the way Jesus could deliver an eternal truth with the aid of a familiar object. How would you describe barriers to radical transformation to a group of 1^st century people hanging around asking questions? Google “self help books” or “personal change” and check back with me at the end of your life when you finish pouring over a billion or two responses. There are a lot of ideas about what is required in order to change. Some of the ideas are good and helpful. But, if Jesus was to write a book about change today it might be pretty short. The title could be: “New wine must be put into new wineskins”. Jesus addressed some pretty big change issues in His day. He was a bridge between the Law and the Gospel. He was confronted with self-righteous attempts to preserve a legalistic framework in the wake of His arrival. In the text of Mark 2 His words were few yet profound in implication. They held both a global and individual application. I’m leaving the global interpretation for another day. I am focusing on what it means in my life. Maybe you can benefit from my struggle.

Will I put new wine in old wineskins? Today, I may be tempted to add a little bit of Jesus into my life to make it better while stopping short of the type of transformation that takes place when I give Him my all. I may want to enjoy the new wine of His presence while still holding on to aspects of my self-righteous identity. I may want to maintain my old habitual ways of seeing things and treating people. I may pray the “Lord’s Prayer” this morning and then live as if I want to see how much of my will can survive while praying “Your will be done”. My “old wineskin” is like a comfortable pair of old shoes. Without thinking, I slip them on each morning. I walk around in them without thinking about the desperate need for renewal. Then Jesus speaks. If I want to preserve the precious nature of His presence I need to embrace Him in totality. I need Him to build my life according to His design. I need a new wineskin.