Have you ever fasted as a way of showing your devotion or dedication? It is a discipline practiced by many, but because it isn’t a public matter, we might not even know it is happening. Fasting is done in reverence to God. However, when God is sitting right there with you, it is best to make the most of your time. That is what Jesus is saying here, yet I’m sure it went right over the people’s heads.
One of my favorite Christian bloggers is Nicole Smithee. She wrote a genius article on fasting. I share it with you HERE. After reading her article, I’m ready to fast. I think I’m going to work that into my schedule in the very near future.
Now the wine skin story may be a little trickier to understand. For me, I didn’t truly understand the tradition because I’ve always known wine to be in bottles, and more recently in boxes or cartons. I didn’t know that wine expands as it ages. Did you?
So, an old wine skin would likely be brittle and rigid and not able to expand like a new one. Does that sound a bit familiar? The Pharisees were certainly being rigid and not accepting of Jesus. You see, Jesus didn’t want to be contained in a box of religious rules. That should speak volumes to us today.
How many times have we been afraid to try new church programs, approach to ministry, or new projects or structures? To rock the boat of what has been “tradition” is often avoided in some churches today. I’ve seen firsthand the hurt feelings and push back that can result.
The Pharisees couldn’t see a new way standing right in front of them. We, too, often miss out on a new touch from the Holy Spirit because we are focusing on the old. The “old is just fine” they say, in verse 39. But new wine is even better!
We must then be careful that our hearts don’t become hardened. We don’t want to prevent ourselves and others of the true richness Jesus is bringing us. We need to keep our hearts pliable and open, like new wine skins. We need to be ready to hear Jesus’ new words to us each day.
Let’s pray. Lord I apologize for times that I have resisted you and wanted things to be the way they always have been. I thank you for times I’ve moved ahead and trusted you to make all things new. Today is a new day, and I look forward to what we are going to accomplish together. I want to look at each new day as a new opportunity for you to shine through me. There is such joy when I know you are moving inside me! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
