Scripture

“No one puts new wine into old wine skins, for the old skins would burst from the pressure, spoiling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wine skins so that both are preserved.”

Observation

Disciples of John the Baptist come to Jesus and ask him why His disciples do not fast like they and the Pharisees do.

Jesus replies with three analogies:

1. Guests don’t mourn at a wedding, but one day the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

2. You don’t patch old clothing with new cloth, for the new cloth will shrink, tearing a hole in the old garment.

3. You don’t put new wine into old wine skins because the new wine continues to ferment, and the old wine skin will split, spilling the wine.

Application

People often speak of new wine and old wine skins to justify throwing away traditions they disagree with.

Here, Jesus is pointing out he is bringing a New Covenant that goes beyond what was possible in the Old Covenant. Therefore, our practices reflect the new realities of the presence of the Holy Spirit in every believer.

The problem is that we keep wanting to go back to old wine skins – the known ways are easier than the new ways.

Our common church buildings reflect Greek and Roman secular culture, not New Covenant culture. The institution of the pastor as the source of all wisdom is not New Covenant. The cherished three point sermon is based in Greek rhetoric not Holy Spirit direction.

Every part of our corporate worship and individual practice must be a new wine skin, otherwise the new wine of the Holy Spirit cannot be contained in it.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for wanting the comfort of old wine skins. Please help me to allow you to renew my thinking. Amen.