Most of what we read today we also read yesterday...which frees me up to think about some of the smaller details. For instance: "why would Jesus deliberately talk to people in a way that He knew they wouldn't understand?" Isn't the point of His ministry to win people into the kingdom of God? How does talking in parables help with that?
Well, actually the main thrust of Christ's ministry wasn't to convert the masses. When we read the rest of the passage, you hear Jesus saying that the Kingdom will "start small and grow larger". If Jesus converted everyone, then it would have started large. The main purpose of Christ's ministry (as it pertains to education) was to train the disciples to replicate themselves while sharing the Good News. That ensures a widespread sharing of the Gospel over many years. Another purpose was to prove that He was truly God...and that was done by fulfilling prophecies that were made about Him many years ago. In this case, the Messiah is prophesied to speak and not be understood. Jesus could have spoken plainly to everyone, but then it wouldn't have fulfilled the prophesy. In fact, had he spoken plainly, it could have had the opposite effect. Some could say "listen, we all understand and respond to what He is saying...when the Messiah comes people won't listen".
Another part of this scenario focuses on the condition of the listener, instead of the speaker. While a speaker may talk plainly, it is possible for a listener to completely miss the point because they aren't hearing it correctly. When I was in school, I heard every single word the math teacher said... and I still didn't understand algebra. I speak very plainly to my children (at least I think I do) and while I am talking I can see that they don't hear a word I am saying.
I think something like that was going on when Jesus spoke to the crowds, because we hear the parables today and we can draw the right conclusions....they were either distracted or not interested. Or, maybe the Holy Spirit is giving us more insight than we know!
Attempting to listen intently,
PR
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Luke 8
I confess to deriving some pleasure from watching my co-pastor squirm when we encounter people or passages of scripture that encourage us toward a subordinate role for women in the church. It's probably part of my carnal nature....but I enjoy bringing up 1 Timothy 2:11-12 just to watch the ladies become frustrated. I agree that it's immature...I'll work on it.
My actions however, do reveal a difference in the way we interpret what the Bible has to say about who should lead, and preach. Even when I am pretending to take the position that women should remain silent and never preach, in reality what I believe is exactly the opposite. And, I take this passage as a clue as to how Jesus viewed the ministry of women. In His day, women were considered as second class, but Jesus had them very close to Him. Some of these were powerful women..at the very least they had the ear of someone in power. I don't think you would have wanted to cross Joanna, she was almost certainly personally known by Herod and her husband was one of his most trusted partners. At the same time, Mary Magdalene is there from whom Jesus has cast out seven demons. A short time from now Jesus is going to deny a man from whom He casts out many demons the privilege of traveling with him...but Mary is afforded the same privilege.
In this chapter Jesus challenges our perception of reality. He says that His mother and brothers are the people who do God's will, not simply the family He was born into. Could that understanding help shape the way we see women? They are very much co-heirs with men. I wonder sometimes if gender will even be a distinction in heaven. Jesus himself says we won't marry or be married in heaven. Maybe the reason we argue over the role of women in the church is because our understanding is too limited. We see only the surface, when Christ sees much more. I hint at this because I see great and powerful ministries happening with women in charge. God appears to be blessing them, and He doesn't bless disobedience. Again, I don't see anywhere in Scripture that the Holy Spirit decides who gets what gift based on their gender. If the Spirit gifts you to preach or teach, then do it; in any way that is appropriate.
One other quick thought here. This passage is revealing the absolute power of Jesus over things out of control. The sea is out of control, and because it is, the disciples are filled with fear. When Jesus calms it, they begin to wonder about Him...because He clearly has great power. Moments later they encounter a man who is out of control. The townspeople have become used to having the madman run around naked in the cemetery. But when Jesus calms him, they become afraid! Why? Wouldn't you think they would come out of town celebrating, thanking Jesus for doing what they couldn't do? No. In our original nature we are only comfortable interacting with things we can control, and Jesus is "out of our control". He reminds us simply by His actions that there are powers to which we must submit...and He is in control of those powers. The wise person immediately bows and makes every attempt to get Jesus "on their side". Seriously. This is the creator, and if He is of a mind to do so, you or I can be dissolved in a moment.
The people of the town were afraid because they had encountered a powerful force that they didn't understand, and didn't know anything about. Instead of learning about Jesus, and discovering that He was benevolent towards them (as the disciples had already done) they chose to run away in fear. Those who run away and refuse to listen are like the seed that falls on hard ground, and the devil makes sure they have no chance to receive the message.
This is getting a little long...but I wonder about why the demons wanted to go into living things, even though within in two minutes they were drown. The demons didn't want to go into the abyss...but as soon as the inhabited the pigs they ran directly into the abyss. What? They didn't want to be without something to inhabit, and by their own actions they were without something to inhabit. It sounds to me as if their thinking is seriously compromised. I wonder if one of the results of being apart from God is a complete breakdown in logic.
The account of Jairus deserves more attention than I am prepared to give it today. I'll discuss it when it comes up again in a day or two.
Serving the one who is beyond my control
PR
My actions however, do reveal a difference in the way we interpret what the Bible has to say about who should lead, and preach. Even when I am pretending to take the position that women should remain silent and never preach, in reality what I believe is exactly the opposite. And, I take this passage as a clue as to how Jesus viewed the ministry of women. In His day, women were considered as second class, but Jesus had them very close to Him. Some of these were powerful women..at the very least they had the ear of someone in power. I don't think you would have wanted to cross Joanna, she was almost certainly personally known by Herod and her husband was one of his most trusted partners. At the same time, Mary Magdalene is there from whom Jesus has cast out seven demons. A short time from now Jesus is going to deny a man from whom He casts out many demons the privilege of traveling with him...but Mary is afforded the same privilege.
In this chapter Jesus challenges our perception of reality. He says that His mother and brothers are the people who do God's will, not simply the family He was born into. Could that understanding help shape the way we see women? They are very much co-heirs with men. I wonder sometimes if gender will even be a distinction in heaven. Jesus himself says we won't marry or be married in heaven. Maybe the reason we argue over the role of women in the church is because our understanding is too limited. We see only the surface, when Christ sees much more. I hint at this because I see great and powerful ministries happening with women in charge. God appears to be blessing them, and He doesn't bless disobedience. Again, I don't see anywhere in Scripture that the Holy Spirit decides who gets what gift based on their gender. If the Spirit gifts you to preach or teach, then do it; in any way that is appropriate.
One other quick thought here. This passage is revealing the absolute power of Jesus over things out of control. The sea is out of control, and because it is, the disciples are filled with fear. When Jesus calms it, they begin to wonder about Him...because He clearly has great power. Moments later they encounter a man who is out of control. The townspeople have become used to having the madman run around naked in the cemetery. But when Jesus calms him, they become afraid! Why? Wouldn't you think they would come out of town celebrating, thanking Jesus for doing what they couldn't do? No. In our original nature we are only comfortable interacting with things we can control, and Jesus is "out of our control". He reminds us simply by His actions that there are powers to which we must submit...and He is in control of those powers. The wise person immediately bows and makes every attempt to get Jesus "on their side". Seriously. This is the creator, and if He is of a mind to do so, you or I can be dissolved in a moment.
The people of the town were afraid because they had encountered a powerful force that they didn't understand, and didn't know anything about. Instead of learning about Jesus, and discovering that He was benevolent towards them (as the disciples had already done) they chose to run away in fear. Those who run away and refuse to listen are like the seed that falls on hard ground, and the devil makes sure they have no chance to receive the message.
This is getting a little long...but I wonder about why the demons wanted to go into living things, even though within in two minutes they were drown. The demons didn't want to go into the abyss...but as soon as the inhabited the pigs they ran directly into the abyss. What? They didn't want to be without something to inhabit, and by their own actions they were without something to inhabit. It sounds to me as if their thinking is seriously compromised. I wonder if one of the results of being apart from God is a complete breakdown in logic.
The account of Jairus deserves more attention than I am prepared to give it today. I'll discuss it when it comes up again in a day or two.
Serving the one who is beyond my control
PR
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Matthew 13
This passage begins with Jesus speaking about how we should grow, and concludes with images of what happens when we are fully grown. In other words, it speaks of planting and of harvesting. When we talk about Christianity and planting, it begins with someone sharing the need for salvation, and the way to accept Jesus as Savior. The word "Gospel" simply means "Good News". So when we share the Gospel, we are planting the seeds into peoples lives.
The first part of this teaching has greatly helped me in my ministry, because it prepares me for what happens when the Gospel is shared. Some will listen, and some will not. Some will be excited and initially look like they are going to be people who will stick around... only to fall away later. Knowing this helps me to be less disappointed when I see it happen. Of course, there is always some disappointment, but this softens it somewhat.
When I was in Israel a guide explained this to me in a way that really helped. In Israel, a large portion of the farming is done on hillsides, and the terrain is very rocky. So, you have a terraced spot that is fertile ground, with a footpath right beside it. The footpath is usually worn down to almost bare rock, with some light accumulation of dirt along the edges. When the farmer is scattering his seed, he isn't deliberately wasting it on the footpath, but it's so narrow that you can't help but have seed go there. That's why you have the description that you do. No successful farmer takes valuable seed and scatters it in the thorn bushes....that wouldn't make sense. But the different soils are so close together that you can't avoid it.
That idea dovetails into the rest of this passage. Those who are earnestly seeking God are rubbing elbows everyday with people who don't want anything to do with Him...or people who want to be associated with God, but don't want Him to be Lord of their life. Jesus tells us that we should expect to see this occurring, and He encourages us with this thought "it will all be made right at the final judgment".
Don't be discouraged when you see the wicked flourish. Don't be depressed when you see people who don't know God seem to get further ahead than what you do. At the end of days, God is going looking for "wheat", and He won't be keeping any "weeds" no matter how tall they have grown.
I want to make it my personal goal to grow more each day to be like Christ, and in His time, to be mature enough to share the Gospel effectively with the right people so that there may be a great harvest in heaven. Even if I don't survive (in this life) to witness the whole event myself.
Growing in Jesus,
PR
The first part of this teaching has greatly helped me in my ministry, because it prepares me for what happens when the Gospel is shared. Some will listen, and some will not. Some will be excited and initially look like they are going to be people who will stick around... only to fall away later. Knowing this helps me to be less disappointed when I see it happen. Of course, there is always some disappointment, but this softens it somewhat.
When I was in Israel a guide explained this to me in a way that really helped. In Israel, a large portion of the farming is done on hillsides, and the terrain is very rocky. So, you have a terraced spot that is fertile ground, with a footpath right beside it. The footpath is usually worn down to almost bare rock, with some light accumulation of dirt along the edges. When the farmer is scattering his seed, he isn't deliberately wasting it on the footpath, but it's so narrow that you can't help but have seed go there. That's why you have the description that you do. No successful farmer takes valuable seed and scatters it in the thorn bushes....that wouldn't make sense. But the different soils are so close together that you can't avoid it.
That idea dovetails into the rest of this passage. Those who are earnestly seeking God are rubbing elbows everyday with people who don't want anything to do with Him...or people who want to be associated with God, but don't want Him to be Lord of their life. Jesus tells us that we should expect to see this occurring, and He encourages us with this thought "it will all be made right at the final judgment".
Don't be discouraged when you see the wicked flourish. Don't be depressed when you see people who don't know God seem to get further ahead than what you do. At the end of days, God is going looking for "wheat", and He won't be keeping any "weeds" no matter how tall they have grown.
I want to make it my personal goal to grow more each day to be like Christ, and in His time, to be mature enough to share the Gospel effectively with the right people so that there may be a great harvest in heaven. Even if I don't survive (in this life) to witness the whole event myself.
Growing in Jesus,
PR
Monday, February 8, 2016
Luke 11
People are divided on the subject of knowing how to pray. Some recommend using a pattern (such as ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) and others say to pray whatever comes into your mind. I suppose that a balance of both ways is the best idea. I don't want my prayer life to be only a long list of things that I am asking for, and a formula that forces me to spend time telling God how much I adore Him could be a good thing. On the other hand, I don't want to reduce my time of prayer to a "checklist" either. In this passage I don't think Jesus is giving the disciples a formula that they need to use every time they pray. Instead He is showing them the sort of things they need to be praying about. We should revere the name of the Lord, we should ask for daily help and protection, etc. Rather than simply repeating the words, we should be echoing the sentiment in our extemporaneous prayers.
There are two things that really grab me today: First, the idea that someone could be so disconnected from God that they accuse God of operating under the power of the devil. I suppose that sort of thing stills goes on today. You can get some pretty intense emotional responses when you begin talking about what the Bible says about alternative lifestyles, addictions or abortion. People will accuse you of being evil...when you are actually good.
The second thing is the forceful way that Jesus speaks to the Pharisees and the legal experts. He really is coming down hard on them. He was invited to their house for dinner, but that gesture doesn't seem to have affected His delivery at all. If I were a Pharisee, I would be squirming and probably pretty angry. I suspect that I would have felt insulted, and my pride would be hurt. Here's the thing: Jesus isn't holding back to protect their feelings. It isn't because He doesn't love them, it's because they have been running roughshod over the people they were meant to take care of for generations. They have been prideful, arrogant and entitled, and now the Master is back to take them to task. The right thing to do would be to cry out in shame and repentance and ask for forgiveness. But their hearts are so hardened that they don't even feel shame....only anger.
The Bible tells us that one day each of us will stand in front of God himself to hear His judgment on what we have done with our lives. If we have been prideful and arrogant, we can expect to be cast into hell. Even though God loves us all, there is no indication in the Scripture that He is going to
"cut everyone a break" on judgment day. Just like He chewed out the Pharisees, He will take everyone to task that hasn't obeyed Him.
Thinking of that, we should be thankful when God rebukes us now, while we still have time to repent and get right with Him. No one wants to hear God say that He isn't pleased with what we are doing. But better to be humbled here and exalted on Judgment Day, instead of vice versa.
Thankful for even the hard messages from Jesus,
PR
There are two things that really grab me today: First, the idea that someone could be so disconnected from God that they accuse God of operating under the power of the devil. I suppose that sort of thing stills goes on today. You can get some pretty intense emotional responses when you begin talking about what the Bible says about alternative lifestyles, addictions or abortion. People will accuse you of being evil...when you are actually good.
The second thing is the forceful way that Jesus speaks to the Pharisees and the legal experts. He really is coming down hard on them. He was invited to their house for dinner, but that gesture doesn't seem to have affected His delivery at all. If I were a Pharisee, I would be squirming and probably pretty angry. I suspect that I would have felt insulted, and my pride would be hurt. Here's the thing: Jesus isn't holding back to protect their feelings. It isn't because He doesn't love them, it's because they have been running roughshod over the people they were meant to take care of for generations. They have been prideful, arrogant and entitled, and now the Master is back to take them to task. The right thing to do would be to cry out in shame and repentance and ask for forgiveness. But their hearts are so hardened that they don't even feel shame....only anger.
The Bible tells us that one day each of us will stand in front of God himself to hear His judgment on what we have done with our lives. If we have been prideful and arrogant, we can expect to be cast into hell. Even though God loves us all, there is no indication in the Scripture that He is going to
"cut everyone a break" on judgment day. Just like He chewed out the Pharisees, He will take everyone to task that hasn't obeyed Him.
Thinking of that, we should be thankful when God rebukes us now, while we still have time to repent and get right with Him. No one wants to hear God say that He isn't pleased with what we are doing. But better to be humbled here and exalted on Judgment Day, instead of vice versa.
Thankful for even the hard messages from Jesus,
PR
Friday, February 5, 2016
Matthew 11
I was talking with a fellow pastor a few weeks ago and he referenced this passage. We were talking about how God has been doing incredible things in our churches, and in our lives, and yet he found himself wondering if his faith was truly genuine. Can you imagine? Here's a guy who has seen God work miracles right in front of him, and he finds himself wondering.
That might be where John the Baptist was...have you ever thought about that?
John clearly knew that Jesus is the Messiah. He says as much when he calls attention to him. He sees heaven opened when he baptizes him, and he must have heard reports back about how Jesus was performing miracles. So why would he send several disciples to ask "are you the one we have been expecting, or is there someone else?" Maybe it was because the devil was whispering in Johns ear, telling him "Jesus is your cousin, he can't be God...how can your cousin be God?" Maybe John expected Jesus to behave in a different way. All the Jews thought the Messiah would be a conquerer...John didn't see Jesus advancing to power. Maybe John didn't consider himself to be the manifestation of Elijah...who knows. We will probably never know exactly why John was curious. What's important to realize is that honest, intent, serious Christians can sometimes get caught up in a wave of doubt. It doesn't mean you aren't genuine...it means you are human. We can't stop the devil from whispering lies, and every once in a while we hear one too clearly. John does the right thing. He doesn't let his doubt simmer and grow. He goes right to Jesus and gets an answer. Jesus answers in a way that will completely put John's mind at ease. John knows the sort of things that the Messiah is going to do...and Jesus simply says "I'm doing those things". That's enough for John, he has his answer.
Jesus goes on to say that there isn't anyone born of man who is greater than John, so being tempted to doubt isn't a disqualifier in your spiritual life. And think of this...anyone who goes to heaven will be even greater than John. What must we be in heaven? It certainly is going to be incredible!
I've read the passage many times about the kids singing a song in the city square and wasn't quite sure what it meant. But the New Living Translation words it differently enough that I derive this meaning: The people of Jesus' day who opposed Him (the ones He refers to when He says that 'forceful people oppose the Gospel') weren't going to be happy no matter what the messenger did. They didn't like the message, so they immediately criticized the messenger. They said John was demon possessed, and Jesus was a drunk and a glutton. No matter what Jesus did, they weren't going to be happy.
Sometimes we encounter those types of people in our lives. They oppose the message (even if it isn't openly) and that manifests itself by criticizing the messenger. No matter what you do, you aren't going to make them happy. What should we do then? I suggest that we treat them with love, not compromise the message at all and continue on our journey. After all, we aren't taking this path to please men anyway....right?
Blessings,
PR
That might be where John the Baptist was...have you ever thought about that?
John clearly knew that Jesus is the Messiah. He says as much when he calls attention to him. He sees heaven opened when he baptizes him, and he must have heard reports back about how Jesus was performing miracles. So why would he send several disciples to ask "are you the one we have been expecting, or is there someone else?" Maybe it was because the devil was whispering in Johns ear, telling him "Jesus is your cousin, he can't be God...how can your cousin be God?" Maybe John expected Jesus to behave in a different way. All the Jews thought the Messiah would be a conquerer...John didn't see Jesus advancing to power. Maybe John didn't consider himself to be the manifestation of Elijah...who knows. We will probably never know exactly why John was curious. What's important to realize is that honest, intent, serious Christians can sometimes get caught up in a wave of doubt. It doesn't mean you aren't genuine...it means you are human. We can't stop the devil from whispering lies, and every once in a while we hear one too clearly. John does the right thing. He doesn't let his doubt simmer and grow. He goes right to Jesus and gets an answer. Jesus answers in a way that will completely put John's mind at ease. John knows the sort of things that the Messiah is going to do...and Jesus simply says "I'm doing those things". That's enough for John, he has his answer.
Jesus goes on to say that there isn't anyone born of man who is greater than John, so being tempted to doubt isn't a disqualifier in your spiritual life. And think of this...anyone who goes to heaven will be even greater than John. What must we be in heaven? It certainly is going to be incredible!
I've read the passage many times about the kids singing a song in the city square and wasn't quite sure what it meant. But the New Living Translation words it differently enough that I derive this meaning: The people of Jesus' day who opposed Him (the ones He refers to when He says that 'forceful people oppose the Gospel') weren't going to be happy no matter what the messenger did. They didn't like the message, so they immediately criticized the messenger. They said John was demon possessed, and Jesus was a drunk and a glutton. No matter what Jesus did, they weren't going to be happy.
Sometimes we encounter those types of people in our lives. They oppose the message (even if it isn't openly) and that manifests itself by criticizing the messenger. No matter what you do, you aren't going to make them happy. What should we do then? I suggest that we treat them with love, not compromise the message at all and continue on our journey. After all, we aren't taking this path to please men anyway....right?
Blessings,
PR
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Luke 7
The faith of the Roman Centurion is sought after by most Christians. But today as I put myself in his place, I find that I would want Jesus to come to the house. It's not that I don't believe Jesus could heal from a distance, I know He can. I would be curious to see Jesus, and watch the miracle unfold in front of my eyes.
I can't help but imagine that the soldier was curious in the same way, but he denied himself the pleasure of even Christ's visit. Every time you read your Bible you see new things...and today the new thing I see is the humility of this Centurion. He was willing to forego his meeting with Jesus because he realized how unworthy he truly was.
Would I be disappointed if a very famous or powerful person were on their way to see me, and then had to cancel? Sure, I'd probably be frustrated by that. It would be a real let down to think you were going to see someone really special and then at the last minute miss seeing them. Think of this: the Centurion willingly set aside the opportunity to see Jesus. That's true humility and self denial. And combine that with the faith he has already shown...no wonder Jesus was impressed with him.
Jesus did so many miracles that we couldn't possibly have a record of them all. This miracle with the Centurion was even more special. Here's another thought: The Centurion willingly made himself "invisible" to Jesus in humility; and Jesus in return made him famous for all time by inspiring the writers of the Gospel to include his story. In being humble, he became more famous than he ever would have had he indulged himself. (There's a powerful life lesson in there).
John the Baptist's encounter will come up again tomorrow, and the interaction with the sinful woman will be mentioned again later, so I'll reserve comment on them until later.
The other thing mentioned in this chapter is the raising of the widows son. The message is clear: Jesus has power over life and death. Only God has power over life and death. Jesus is God.
Jesus certainly must have seen funerals before this. Why bring back this young man? I guess it was compassion for his mother that motivated Jesus to action. We forget sometimes that when we lose a loved one, Jesus is sad too. He isn't grieving because he has lost something...Jesus never loses anything. He knows where our loved ones are, and can be in contact with them any time He wants. No, he grieves because He feels compassion for us, and we are grieving.
I'm glad to be serving a God who not only is powerful, but who cares for me, and is capable of feeling the same way that I feel.
On the narrow path,
PR
I can't help but imagine that the soldier was curious in the same way, but he denied himself the pleasure of even Christ's visit. Every time you read your Bible you see new things...and today the new thing I see is the humility of this Centurion. He was willing to forego his meeting with Jesus because he realized how unworthy he truly was.
Would I be disappointed if a very famous or powerful person were on their way to see me, and then had to cancel? Sure, I'd probably be frustrated by that. It would be a real let down to think you were going to see someone really special and then at the last minute miss seeing them. Think of this: the Centurion willingly set aside the opportunity to see Jesus. That's true humility and self denial. And combine that with the faith he has already shown...no wonder Jesus was impressed with him.
Jesus did so many miracles that we couldn't possibly have a record of them all. This miracle with the Centurion was even more special. Here's another thought: The Centurion willingly made himself "invisible" to Jesus in humility; and Jesus in return made him famous for all time by inspiring the writers of the Gospel to include his story. In being humble, he became more famous than he ever would have had he indulged himself. (There's a powerful life lesson in there).
John the Baptist's encounter will come up again tomorrow, and the interaction with the sinful woman will be mentioned again later, so I'll reserve comment on them until later.
The other thing mentioned in this chapter is the raising of the widows son. The message is clear: Jesus has power over life and death. Only God has power over life and death. Jesus is God.
Jesus certainly must have seen funerals before this. Why bring back this young man? I guess it was compassion for his mother that motivated Jesus to action. We forget sometimes that when we lose a loved one, Jesus is sad too. He isn't grieving because he has lost something...Jesus never loses anything. He knows where our loved ones are, and can be in contact with them any time He wants. No, he grieves because He feels compassion for us, and we are grieving.
I'm glad to be serving a God who not only is powerful, but who cares for me, and is capable of feeling the same way that I feel.
On the narrow path,
PR
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Matthew 9
A few weeks ago when we read Matthew 8 Jesus was on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. As He traveled there via boat with several of His disciples, a severe storm blew in, and almost capsized the boat. Jesus calmed the waves (and His disciples). Once on the other side, He healed a demon possessed man, commanding the demons to enter into pigs. After spending some time sharing in that area, He is now returning back to the west side of the Sea. In Jesus' day, the east side was occupied by non-Jews. It was referred to as the "Decapolis" (10 cities), and although the Jews were familiar with them, they didn't accept them as religious equals. The west side of the Sea is where the Jews lived (mostly). The northwest region of the Sea is where the majority of Jesus' miracles take place. Capernaum is located on the sea in this area.
In Luke 5 the parable of the wineskins is shared, just like it is here...except there is one more verse. In Mark and Matthew they don't add the last line that is found in Luke 5:39 "and no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, "the old is better".
In my Bible the study notes explain that Jesus was telling the disciples that people are reluctant to change...that's why they prefer the old wine.
Bear with me a second here....this passage really gets under my skin..
I don't think that's what Jesus was implying at all. In order for that to be true, Jesus would be saying that "fasting is the old way and I am doing things a new way" But He isn't saying that. He's saying "it isn't the right time for fasting now". There will be a time for it, and then it will be the exact right thing to be doing. I don't think Jesus was saying "I am doing something new and wonderful that you can't possibly ever be a part of, because you are an old wineskin and you can't handle what I'm up to." No way. None of the disciples had a clue at this point... and these were godly men who followed John the Baptist. They weren't heathens, they were interested, intent practicing Jewish men who knew what John said about Jesus and were simply curious as to why His practice didn't match their own.
What bothers me is when we use this passage in the church to imply that the new thing we are doing is better than the old and cannot be embraced or received by those who are older (or anyone who isn't on board with the new idea). I'm not implying that every new idea is good, or that good ideas aren't ever rejected unfairly...I'm just saying that this passage won't support the premise. Here's why:
Old wine is better than new wine. Anyone who knows anything knows that wine becomes better with age. New wine needs to ferment, and release some gas before it's any good, so we put it in a new wineskin that can move with it. It isn't better...it's just in a different stage of the process. Someday the very same wine in the very same wineskins will be sought after and valued. But not so much today...because it's new.
It's easy to be confused, because the new garment is better than the old garment (as a general rule). If Jesus hadn't mentioned the wineskins, we could conclude that new is better. But since the wineskins are mentioned...it cancels out that thought.
So what about the garments? Jesus is saying that there is a time and process for everything, and all things will be done in order, at the right time. Don't ruin what is going on now by trying to add what should happen later to it. It's too early for fasting. Fasting will come, and it will be right...but it isn't right at the moment.
There are seasons in the church. There are times to celebrate, times to be sad, times to learn and times to hang out and fellowship. There are times to build and times to tear down..(hey, isn't this in Ecclesiastes..?) The important thing is to understand that it's a process.
We wouldn't be gloomy and sad at a wedding, but it might be appropriate at a funeral, or on good Friday. In the same way, we shouldn't demand that new Christians do everything that more seasoned mature Christians do.
When we are young in the faith we haven't "fermented" yet. We still need to let off a little "gas" and we need a family that understands that. I think this passage could tie into the passage about "a bruised reed I will not break" without disrupting the original thought.
Enjoying the journey, letting off some gas....
PR
In Luke 5 the parable of the wineskins is shared, just like it is here...except there is one more verse. In Mark and Matthew they don't add the last line that is found in Luke 5:39 "and no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, "the old is better".
In my Bible the study notes explain that Jesus was telling the disciples that people are reluctant to change...that's why they prefer the old wine.
Bear with me a second here....this passage really gets under my skin..
I don't think that's what Jesus was implying at all. In order for that to be true, Jesus would be saying that "fasting is the old way and I am doing things a new way" But He isn't saying that. He's saying "it isn't the right time for fasting now". There will be a time for it, and then it will be the exact right thing to be doing. I don't think Jesus was saying "I am doing something new and wonderful that you can't possibly ever be a part of, because you are an old wineskin and you can't handle what I'm up to." No way. None of the disciples had a clue at this point... and these were godly men who followed John the Baptist. They weren't heathens, they were interested, intent practicing Jewish men who knew what John said about Jesus and were simply curious as to why His practice didn't match their own.
What bothers me is when we use this passage in the church to imply that the new thing we are doing is better than the old and cannot be embraced or received by those who are older (or anyone who isn't on board with the new idea). I'm not implying that every new idea is good, or that good ideas aren't ever rejected unfairly...I'm just saying that this passage won't support the premise. Here's why:
Old wine is better than new wine. Anyone who knows anything knows that wine becomes better with age. New wine needs to ferment, and release some gas before it's any good, so we put it in a new wineskin that can move with it. It isn't better...it's just in a different stage of the process. Someday the very same wine in the very same wineskins will be sought after and valued. But not so much today...because it's new.
It's easy to be confused, because the new garment is better than the old garment (as a general rule). If Jesus hadn't mentioned the wineskins, we could conclude that new is better. But since the wineskins are mentioned...it cancels out that thought.
So what about the garments? Jesus is saying that there is a time and process for everything, and all things will be done in order, at the right time. Don't ruin what is going on now by trying to add what should happen later to it. It's too early for fasting. Fasting will come, and it will be right...but it isn't right at the moment.
There are seasons in the church. There are times to celebrate, times to be sad, times to learn and times to hang out and fellowship. There are times to build and times to tear down..(hey, isn't this in Ecclesiastes..?) The important thing is to understand that it's a process.
We wouldn't be gloomy and sad at a wedding, but it might be appropriate at a funeral, or on good Friday. In the same way, we shouldn't demand that new Christians do everything that more seasoned mature Christians do.
When we are young in the faith we haven't "fermented" yet. We still need to let off a little "gas" and we need a family that understands that. I think this passage could tie into the passage about "a bruised reed I will not break" without disrupting the original thought.
Enjoying the journey, letting off some gas....
PR
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