No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, "The old is good." (Lk. 5:33-39)
This passage confuses some and continues to puzzle others. However, Jesus is challenging us to realize that the new life experienced in Him will likely be taken as something new, and certainly not as good as the old wine.
Even for many today, the way things are is good enough. But Christ calls us to go beyond good. Good isn't good enough. He makes all things new!
When we truly plunge ourselves into the Kingdom message of Christ, and into His very life, death, and resurrection, we will become new creations.
As a result, those who are comfortable with a Christianity of the status quo may well take offense at our fiery faith and thirst for justice. Yet it cannot be otherwise. We must serve Christ in all who are in need; we must work to change structures and mindsets that keep people locked in poverty and old ways of thinking.
The prophets all suffered for proclaiming the Word of God, but their message continues to go forth.
Let us pass over the old wine and drink the new.
Christ has given us a new Commandment: Love one another. There are no exceptions.
Let us drink the new wine of the Kingdom which is Christ Himself.
What are we waiting for?
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