Reading
SAA Notes
Notice that Luke records not the man’s faith, but the faith of his friends. Sometimes we are tempted to think the cruel doctrine that healing is in proportion to our faith. The important factor is Jesus, not the strength of our faith.
SJA Notes
* God Above, Your word is our roadmap. Please lead us toward You today.
“But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.”
As Jesus so often did, from this passage we see that He pulls us up sharp in our thinking.
New win will bust old win skins. That’s just how things work in the world around us (which Jesus created and sustains). The created world. New wine, as it ferments, will expand. Old skin is not elastic. New skin will move and stretch.
What is Jesus responding to here?
The Pharisees and scribes were attacking Him, saying His disciples were not very spiritual, they’re too worldly!
“But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.”
Our hearts must be reborn. The enemies of Jesus did not understand.
The Pharisee Nicodemus wrestled with this, as we read in John 3. He came to Jesus at night, and the Creator God told him clearly,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
New birth! The Holy Spirit lives within hearts made flesh and not stone.
We are dead in our sin. We need the salvation Jesus brings to make us new.
* Holy God,
Please remind us each day of our need for You.
Please sink us in self, that we might rise in You.
Amen.