Day 4: New Wineskins

Today's reading for Lent comes from Mark 2.

There are four main events in this chapter that capture the heart of what Jesus came to do. He heals a paralytic on the Sabbath, and then calls Levi, (who we know as Matthew) to become one of his disciples - a man that the religious Jews look down on as disreputable. Then he gets involved with the Pharisees about fasting and finally about the Sabbath.

Among the many things this chapter says about Jesus and his purpose, one verse especially sums it up:
"“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”

All of the things Jesus does here is meant to demonstrate the difference between the Kingdom of God - which is a place of healing, inclusion, forgiveness, grace and freedom - from the religious spirit that was so dominant in the Pharisee's rule.

Religion is a false god. It is not simply that people are conservative, or more pious; rather, it is taking the very heart of God for his creation and making it about rules, outward conformity to behavior, and the ego or pride of the one who does them.

Jesus calls us to a different spirit. He calls us to follow him, and not be afraid to admit to our weaknesses, our sin. He said in vs 17,
"When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Knowing I am a sinner doesn't make me embrace sinful behavior, it simply stops from believing that I am a righteous one by what I do.

Peace

If you are reading through the Bible with me on the one year plan, read Joshua 5,6,7,8 today
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