New Wineskins Needed

“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” Matthew 9:16-17

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus was practical in His teaching, giving everyday illustrations to elucidate His deeper lessons. Having demonstrated his ability to transform and heal, and calling worldly men to His spiritual mission, He described to them what needed to take place in order for them to participate in His life-giving ministry. Only as new creatures, new wineskins, could they be filled with faith to take on their new calling and produce the sweet wine of transformative influence. (Matthew 9:2-9)

Our spiritual life cannot flourish as an add-on to pre-Christ practices and sensibilities. Enemies and beggars all, we need the redeeming blood of Christ applied in full to be declared righteous, to be made ‘new.’ When Jesus saves us, we become new creatures able to think and desire and behave with a whole new system of life and energy. Our references and resources are now from above and compel new direction. Attempting to ‘do better’ and ‘be different’ without exchanging the old life is a fruitless endeavor. (Romans 5:6-11)

Where do we find ourselves spinning wheels in ineffective activity? Do we live days frustrated at our unfinished business or lack of smeaningful productivity, while never pausing to ask the Lord’s direction and inspiration? Have we grown accustomed to working increasingly harder in the flesh, when we really need to lay down that flesh and take up God’s Spirit? Maintaining a humble posture before the Lord to receive new daily mercies supplies for, motivates, and enables fruitful ministry. Will we yield? (Lamentations 3:22-23; Romans 8:9-11)

“In the crushing, in the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil I, now surrender
You are breaking new ground

So I yield to You and to Your careful hand
When I trust You, I don’t need to understand

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me

In the crushing, in the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil I, now surrender
You are breaking new ground

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me

‘Cause where there is new wine
There is new power
There is new freedom
To serve You here
I lay down my old flames
To carry Your new fire today

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
God, I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me.” ~Hillsong (2018)

Father, keep me repentant and fresh, a worthy vessel for Your filling and using, to Your gracious ends.