38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
Every time God does something new He seems to break the former mold. We see this in the Church in the West. Music styles have changed, and much of the old seems tired and worn out. The way we provide Christian Education programs has changed from structured classes to small group gatherings. Even that way sermons are delivered has changed. Gone are the words-only sermons. Now there is media to reinforce the message. But when these changes take place those who are used to the old way of doing things don’t like the new way. And just because things are changing doesn’t mean that the old way is bad. It just means that what God wants to do requires a new container. The religious leaders are questioning Jesus’ practices. He seems to be celebrating all the time, not following the pattern of deprivation of the flesh, fasting, which had become so much a central part of the religious life of that day. Jesus answered and said there would come a time, after he was gone, when his disciples would fast, but this was not that time. Now was a time for celebrating, because He was present. So often in life we get stuck in a pattern, unable or willing to celebrate for a few moments. I think of times of sorrow as we remember loved ones and tell the stories of our interactions with them. Often times there are moments of laughter in the middle of the tears. Life is both bitter and sweet. Jesus told those who were listening that the Gospel does not fit in the old containers. It is growing and will break whatever old container you try to put it in. No longer is the Gospel confined primarily to one ethnic group. The Gospel is for every group. Culture is out the window. Jesus can be celebrated with electronic instruments and with African drums. It crosses language barriers. It crosses every type of ‘box’ with which we might attempt to confine it. The Gospel brings celebration to all who are willing to believe in Jesus. He is the new wine and life exists in Him.
The Arnold Journey 