Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 9:16-17
What is a parable?
The simplest definition is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Technically it is an allegory where one thing symbolizes something else. Jesus was a master teacher and employed all kinds of teaching methods, but He loved parables!
Before you can really explore these two parables, you need to know some basic information. Before the days of synthetic cloth, everyone used 100% natural cloth – cotton or linen or wool. A new piece of cloth would shrink when you washed it so it was imperative that you wash it before you sewed it into a garment because if you didn't, then the garment – when washed – would be a mess.
I actually did this one time. I made a friend's bridesmaid's dress out of beautiful fabric. It was so fancy; I was afraid to wash it – so I just made it into the dress instead of washing it first. But she stained it with makeup when she was trying it on – so I kindly washed it for her. Guess what! I had to totally redo it because the fabric shrank in all the wrong places! A very expensive mistake.
The other piece of information you need to know is that old wine skins get hard and inflexible. New wineskins are stretchy. And you need to know that new wine when aging, gives off CO2 (carbon dioxide gas) – so it expands.
Read Mark 2:21-22
And
Read Luke 5:36-39
Now, you've read the parable three times by three different authors. Let's dig in!
What do you think Jesus is teaching when he talks about patching the cloth?
The first thing Jesus says is that you wouldn't cut a hole in a new pair of jeans to patch an old pair. Now-a-days you might – just to be in style!!! But that's not the sensible thing to do if you want the pair to last!
I believe Jesus is saying that He's something new. If you try to fit Him into your little world of spiritual beliefs, it doesn't work. You've got to move into His new world and do things His NEW WAY. Don't try to fit Jesus into your religion. It won't work. You've got to leave the old and start the new. They won't match! He won't fit into your old way of thinking.
What do you think Jesus is teaching when He talks about pouring new wine into old skins?
I believe the second parable is the same message as the first. If you try to pour new wine into old wineskins the skins will explode! You can't take Jesus and try to make Him fit into your way of doing things. It's the other way around. You've got to get rid of the old and start the new. If you try to make Him fit into your old ways, there'll be a mess to clean up.
The Pharisees and teachers of the Law wanted Jesus to fit inside their beliefs and traditions. Jesus said – it won't work, your beliefs and traditions are too rigid and will explode!
Then Luke 5:39 records another statement that Jesus made that is often misunderstood (or ignored).
I've never had an alcoholic beverage, but from what I've heard, the older the wine, the richer and sweeter the flavor. Your most expensive wines can be 100 years old or more. Here Jesus is simply stating a truth. Once you get used to really, really old wine, you won't enjoy new wine. But remember we're not really talking about wine – we're looking for the Heavenly meaning. I believe Jesus, the wise Master Teacher was very simply saying, “You guys have drunk the old for so long that you can't appreciate the new.” I believe it's a warning to me and to you to be careful of doing things by tradition because it is a trap that makes us love the old and hate the new. And that trap could keep us from finding eternal life, peace and joy.
Jesus came to bring newness and freshness to everything. Be on guard that you don't get rigid in your love for traditions that will keep you from growing.
When I was growing up, my church only sang hymns. As I became a young adult, praise songs became popular. Many of my friends refused to sing or enjoy the praise songs because they loved the hymns. My husband and I decided as long as they were consistent with Scripture – we would love them both! And we still do! I'm so glad that God is a God of newness and freshness.
In His service, dale
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