Together - Daily DevotionalSample

New Wineskins

Reading: Luke 5:33-39

Key Verse: “New wine must be poured into new wineskins” v.38

In this passage Jesus was criticised for the new way He was acting and speaking about the kingdom of God. People thought that God required the suppression of sensual pleasure by strict observance to Jewish laws and a lifestyle based on fasting and prayer. But here was Jesus involved in wedding feasts turning water to wine, bringing healing on the Sabbath when no work should be done and speaking of a new personal, intimate relationship with God as your Father.

The religious Pharisees were outraged and challenged Jesus to explain Himself. In response He quoted a parable based on everyday life. New wine was poured into animal skins where it would expand and ferment. Because the skin was new it would expand as the wine expanded. An old wineskin would already be fully expanded and brittle so if filled with new wine it would burst and the wine lost.

Jesus explained that the new thing God wants to do in our lives requires change and flexibility because by faith we need to embrace the new opportunities He places before us. Let’s not be “stuck in a rut” but ready to expand and change our routines as he leads us.

Prayer: Lord help me be flexible and change as You lead me his New Year into New Beginnings