The Parables Of Jesus - The Wineskins: Part 4

The Parables Of Jesus - The Wineskins: Part 4

This new teaching of Jesus required a new type of disciple. The “new wine” needed a “new wineskin”, so He chose disciples who thought differently. He wanted disciples who weren’t afraid to go into places like Levi’s house and the dens of iniquity. He wanted disciples who could relate to the people who needed God the most.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were tainted and had lost their vision of God. When the lost are leading the lost, everyone stays lost. Only those who truly know God can lead others to Him. It takes someone who has seen what the love of God looks like.

Jesus was bringing the message of God’s love to the people. That required a disciple who was not afraid to sit down at a table with thieves and prostitutes, who could look a leper in the eye and talk about God, a disciple who could stare down a demon and pray for the healing of the lame and the blind.

The Gospel demanded something different of it’s disciples. It was going to challenge the system, provoke authority, erase cultural lines, offend those in charge, defy reason, humble the proud, rebuke evil and resist the lures of wealth and power. It would ask its disciples to reach the unreachable and love the unloveable. It needed new wineskins, disciples who were not attached to earthly things and who were willing to go wherever God sent them.

The Gospel needs disciples who have experienced brokenness. Thats why you and I are followers of a God who loves even me.

John 13:35

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”