42. New wine into old
wineskins- Matt. 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-39
-Here in this section we see the Pharisees, rich in their
legalistic tradition, questioning Jesus about the lack of fasting they observe
in His disciples compared to them and John’s disciples. Jesus’ response is
attended to alert them to His Messianic greatness as a time of celebration and
joy, which they were never actually able to perceive. Jesus did maintain that
there would come a time for them to fast when the bridegroom is taken away. The
Scripture uses this bridegroom analogy often as something that is known is
compared to a deep spiritual truth concerning the Kingdom of God. This was the plaroma (the fullness of time) in which
God came to be with man in special revelation through the incarnation of His
Son (Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 1:10). Special rejoicing and celebration around
this monumental event should have been expected if anyone really understood
what was going on. Jesus even tried to explain this to these, but they
continued to be blind and deaf. *Application* There is a season for all things.
These are seasons of the soul and God wants us to react appropriately in each
and every situation. It is His will for us to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4,
Ephesians 5:16), but there are times when we should fast and make special
efforts in seeking Him. What time is it in your life?
-Jesus reiterates His point with two more illustrations
designed to show how the new in Him had come. This is a precursor to the New
Covenant, which He would establish with His blood on the cross of Calvary
(Jeremiah 31:31, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25). It was a new day and a new
way with the Son of God’s justifying sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Gone
would be the old religious system tied up in the traditions that were manmade
and cumbersome on the soul of man. Righteousness was now going to be
attainable. Those who wanted to cling to the old system would say that it was
good enough (Luke 5:39), but they failed to realize that it could never bring
salvation and impute the righteousness of God on a person. It only restrained
evil by the enforcement of the rigid law that was perfect as far as God gave
it, but it proved impossible for man to keep. Therefore, in God’s mercy and
compassion, He gave His only begotten Son to be the substitutionary atonement
for our sins (Hebrews 10:1-10). These deep theological truths Jesus spoke in
parables, which flew right over the head of His hard hearted hearers.
*Application* The “old wine skin” has become synonymous with traditional
manmade systems that have become too rigid and controlled to be of much Kingdom
value. When we seek “new wine skin” we are breaking away from the religious
spirit into the work of Christ in a freeing and more pliable situation that is commensurate
with the Spirit of God. Often this causes tension with those who want to be
unyielding and unchanging, but Jesus predicted these things would happen not
only back then, but anytime a controlling spirit is present. At times like
these it is best to break away and find a new container for your spiritual
work. But always remember to do it God’s way in love and without bitterness or
jealousy.
Verse to Memorize-
Mark 2:22
43. Pool of Bethesda-
John 5:1-15
-Jesus heals a man who had been ill and couldn’t walk for 38
years on the Sabbath. This happened in Jerusalem during a feast of the Jews (it
was either the feast of 1. Passover/Unleavened Bread, 2. Weeks, or Pentecost,
or 3. Booths). Jesus observed his condition, asked him if he wanted to get
well, and then healed him giving him an imperative command to pick up his
pallet and walk. This action infuriated the pious Jews who had made up Sabbath
requirements in their tradition, which outlawed carrying such an item (they
calculated that this was work and negated the rest required by the Law). Jesus
was not breaking any of the Laws of God, but He did go against the manmade
system in which the Jews were showing legalism and in result a lack of
compassion for such a man as this who was healed. Jesus slipped through the
crowd undetected to escape their wrath, but afterward He approached the man in
the Temple with some words of wisdom that he be responsible with his new
freedom of mobility. Jesus’ warning after he had become well was to sin no more
lest something worse happen. *Application* Jesus said “everyone who has been
given much, much will be demanded (Luke 12:48).” This man had been entrusted
the riches of being made well in the area of walking. He was now required to
use this gift in the furtherance of the gospel and to do good things. Don’t
waste the gifts God has richly blessed you with for His service (2 Timothy
1:6). To abuse His endowments is a sin and corrective punishment may be the
result.
Verse to Memorize-
John 5:14
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