New Wine—New Wineskins

The disciples of John and the Pharisees are at odds with the disciples of Jesus. In accordance with Scripture, the disciples of John (and the Pharisees) regularly fast. All faithful Jews do. That’s what Scripture teaches. But the disciples of Jesus do not. Why? Isn’t Jesus teaching them to obey the Scriptures?

Jesus’ response draws on the fact that God is doing something new and the former thing is passing away. Like fasting at a wedding, some things are simply out of place. Jesus’ presence is inaugurating something new. Any attempt to squeeze that into old forms will not only destroy what has come before but will spoil what is new. New wine requires new wineskins.

What an important thing for us to remember! God is indeed doing something new and we Christians get to participate in it today. We have been sent the Spirit to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Yet, too often our tendencies are more in line with the disciples of John (and the Pharisees) than with the disciples of Jesus. Where the Spirit leads may not fit into the “old wineskins” but that’s okay, “new wineskins” will be provided.

So often, when we attempt to follow where the Spirit is leading we are confronted by the fact that it doesn’t fit into the ways we have done it before. That this sort of thing happens should not surprise us: people of the Spirit should expect just this response.

Respond in Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for making all things new. As that newness swells, provide us with the new wineskins that protect your work from spoiling. Give us courage to move forward without fear in the power of your Spirit, in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

David Williams