New Wine into New Wineskins

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

New Wine into New Wineskins

Date: May. 16, 2015

Passage

Matthew 9:14-17 (ESV)

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 9:17b

Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

First, Jesus is the bridegroom (14-15). John's disciples and the Pharisees disciples fasted and observed traditions that Jesus' disciples did not. Jesus could have pushed his disciples to follow traditions; instead, he defended them. Just like guests of the bridegroom rejoice at his wedding, Jesus' disciples rejoice to be with him. When Jesus was taken from them, they would fast. Being with Jesus is joyful, and not like old religion.

Second, Jesus is the new wine (16-17). Jesus contrasted his teaching and gospel ministry with the tradition of other religions using two metaphors. Both the patch of unshrunk cloth and the new wine refer to Jesus, who is dynamic and changing, powerful and influential. But those who have a fixed idea and are inflexibly devoted to their tradition cannot receive Jesus. Like the old garment or the old wineskin, they will be made worse. We need a humble learning mind to grow in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the joy of life with Jesus, my bridegroom. Help me humbly learn from and be changed by Jesus' gospel life and teaching.

One Word: Jesus is the source of joy and new life

Hezekiah’s Foolishness

2 Kings 20:12-21

Key Verse: 20:17

Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD.

Today's Question

For what do we pray in the second request?

See answer and references