Bible League: Living His Word "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 NKJV New wine that is still going through the process of fermentation bubbles and expands. If you put it into an old wineskin, there will be a problem. Old wineskins have already been stretched to the limit by earlier batches of new wine and can't stretch anymore. As a result, the bubbling and expansion of the new wine will burst them. If you put new wine into new wineskins, on the other hand, everything will be fine. The new wineskins will expand to accommodate the new wine. The examples that Jesus uses in our verse for today were used in the context of a discussion on fasting (Mark 2:18-22). The new wine represents Jesus' new teachings – including His teachings on fasting (e.g., Matthew 6:16-18). The old wineskins represent the old practices of the Pharisees – including their fasting practices. The Pharisees fasted on a regular basis for legalistic and pompous reasons. Jesus' disciples, in contrast, fasted when it was spiritually discerned to be appropriate – like a special season of sorrow. While Jesus was with them it was not appropriate to fast, but when Jesus was taken from them it would be appropriate (Mark 2:19-20). Jesus' teachings aimed at the heart, not the outward behavior. In summary, Jesus is saying that His new teachings shouldn't be introduced into the context of old practices. New wineskins&mdashthat is, a new understanding&mdashis required. The legalism of the Pharisees cannot contain the new teachings of Jesus. If someone tries to introduce them anyway, then the old practices will burst because the new teachings will stretch them beyond their legalistic limits. Worse, Jesus' new teachings will then be diluted or lost in the old practices. Speaking more generally, when the teachings of Jesus are made known, or when insights into the teachings of Jesus are made known, it is mandatory for us to change our understanding order to accommodate them. The Holy Spirit is working amongst us. He is guiding us into the truth (John 16:13). Inevitably, the failings of our old practices will be revealed. Fresh practices must be created as our hearts are renewed by the Spirit. Let us always, then, be ready to exchange our old wineskins for new ones. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 41, 42, 43 Psalm 41 -- David Psalms of Deliverance (2Sa 17) NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 42 -- BOOK 2: As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 43 -- Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 24 Acts 24 -- The Trial Before Felix NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, ‘I don't know you or where you come from.'Insight Finding salvation requires more concentrated effort than most people are willing to put forth. Obviously, we cannot save ourselves—there is no way we can work ourselves into God's favor. Challenge The effort we must put out “to enter the narrow door” is earnestly desiring to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow him whatever the cost. We dare not put off making this decision because the door will not stay open forever. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Exodus 14:13 Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master's word to him is, "Stand still." It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up." But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, "Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles." But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, "do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness." We must be doing something at once--we must do it so we think--instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, "If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle." But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, "Stand still," and immovable as a rock it stands. "Stand still;"--keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward." Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,1 Samuel 3:18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him." Job 9:15 "For though I were right, I could not answer; I would have to implore the mercy of my judge. Job 1:21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 2:10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. John 11:35 Jesus wept. Isaiah 53:3,4 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. • Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. Hebrews 12:6,11 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." • All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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