Scripture: Mark 2 v 21-22.
These are the words of Jesus - no man puts new wine into
an old wineskin. The old wineskin is stiff and rigid and the bubbly, freshly
fermented wine needs a soft supple container. Jesus is illustrating the
transition from the Old Covenant based on the Law of Moses, to the New Covenant
in His Blood based on forgiveness of sin through the grace and mercy of our
Father.
The old wineskin would burst open and the wine be lost.
So it is with the gospel of truth and our souls. The Old Testament Law was
strict and rigid the New Testament Grace flows spontaneously. So God is saying
that a person who is born again, baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit would
be a pliable flexible wineskin able to contain the new wine without bursting
open.
We need to flow in the power, anointing, gifts and fruit
of the Holy Spirit against which there is no law. Those who are under the Law
are the old wineskins, which are completely inflexible and unable to contain
the new wine without splitting open.
Jesus writes His commands on each heart and they are
tailor-made for each person, and not on tablets of stone, when the same
commands applied generally to everyone. When Jesus died His last words were
"It is finished" and He meant the Law was finally done away and we
are forgiven of all sin. The time for the New Wine has come in His Blood.
Many Christians have decided to reject their salvation by
Jesus and live as Jews under the law. They still believe they are saved but
will have to give account to the Righteous Judge for the choice they made.
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank You that the Law is past
and we can live by Grace. Please confirm to me that I am truly a new wineskin
ready to be filled with Your bubbly new wine. In Jesus' name. Amen.