THE WORD 4 ev 1

Read Matthew 9 (click here for link)

Today Jesus says that new wine cannot be poured into old wineskins nor can you patch old garments with a new piece of cloth. Jesus is responding to some of John the Baptist’s disciples, who have come to him wondering why Jesus and his disciples don’t do the things that all other rabbis and great teachers do. Indeed, Jesus must have seemed a strange bird. Not only are his amazing miracles enough to set him apart from all other teachers, but also this man can forgive sins with authority and doesn’t abide by all the old Mosaic Law code of the Jews. Oh yeah… he also eats with sinners!!!

However, Jesus warning is true. There is a danger in taking something new—Jesus—and simply adding him or stitching him into our old way of life. Jesus cannot be a “patch,” something that simply repairs the old. Jesus comes to make all things new.

So what happens when the new intersects with the old? The old is burst apart. Each day you and I face the maker of new wine. Our lives—our old and sinful skins—try to “deal” with Jesus. We try to incorporate him into our old lives—patching things up. But Jesus is utterly new and he comes to burst our old lives and make us new in his name. Perhaps this sounds a bit heady or theological, but think about it this way: That sin you committed yesterday; that thing which has you so guilt racked; that thing which has so hurt your loved ones; Jesus has come to make that new!

In the name of Jesus the old is gone and his word creates you new. Your sins are forgiven you in the name of Jesus. Whatever the old has touched, it can now be healed with the new. It won’t be easy, but then again, destroying old wineskins never is easy. Bring Jesus into that part of your life and see the power of his name.

I pray God's blessings for each of you as you join with family to celebrate and enjoy with thanksgiving the gift of life in Jesus,

Pastor Aaron