Wineskins

Luke 5:36 Then He spoke a parable to them: "No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old.37 "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined.38 "But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.39 "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’"

I have heard so many messages on this subject of wineskins and each one has always stressed the importance of doing things differently.

I have heard it used to validate the idea of having church anywhere but a corporate setting with the argument that this statement deals with the end of the synagogue gathering styles.

Actually this has been one of the most popular uses for it I have run into. I have also heard it used anytime someone wishes to make a "paradigm shift," in the way we view the church.

How about we allow it to speak to what it was intended to speak to. Jesus is addressing the religious leaders who have questioned him regarding his disciples and their lack of observance of certain Jewish customs, such as fasting and sabbath related matters.

The old wine refers to the administration of the Spirit under the old covenant and the new wine refers to the administration of the Spirit that will come through Christ in the new covenant. The Spirit came in the new covenant and dwells in us and on us. We become the temple! The old wine skin tore when Jesus died on the cross, this is represented in the tearing of the veil in the temple.

Being born again by the work of Christ that is ours by grace through faith is given the emphasis with regard to this new covenant. Salvation is the work of the Savior who brings it, not the man who receives it. Thus the verse that speaks of how the ones who have had the old wine do not immediately want the new for they think the old is better! Still yet today there are people who want the old ways of the old covenant thinking that the law and the writings of Moses will bring us closer to God by leading us into proper behavior. Like the religious leaders they want to draw us back into antiquated powerless ceremonies as opposed to living in the faith that is ours in Christ.

To make this parable about anything else other than the new life and new covenant that is to come through Christ is an attack on the glory it gives to Christ for the work He performs on the cross for redemption.

Let's not make wine skins about structures or meeting venues. Let's allow it to remain to be about the release of the Holy Spirit into man through a better covenant in Christ, a covenant that is only realized by new creatures in Christ.