No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins-and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.

Mark 2:21-22 (ESV)

To modern Americans these illustrations may seem a bit strange. However, the first century audiences understood them clearly. It is impractical and unhelpful to mesh something brand new with something that is worn out because the new substance will destroy the old. They are incompatible with one another.

These stories speak volumes to the nature of Jesus’ ministry. The Pharisees believe he is simply trying to bring a new perspective to their understanding of Mosaic faith (hence their question about fasting that starts the conversation). However, Jesus wants them to know, “he is not an attachment, addition, or appendage to the status quo. He cannot be integrated into or contained by preexisting structures, even Judaism, Torah, and synagogue.” [1] Jesus’ ministry goal is to redefine the status quo, to transform the understanding and existences of those who put their faith in him. Their existing structure is not compatible with the “newness” that Jesus brings.

In today’s world we might better understand Jesus’ point by comparing it to a computer’s operating system. Imagine trying to install your favorite app on a first-generation iPad, or Office 365 on Windows Vista! (OUCH!) They simply would not work. The newest programs require a different operating system to accomplish what they are supposed to accomplish. What would we say to the person who refused to acknowledge this need and insisted on cramming the new programs into the old systems?

Yet, some of us today are doing just that with our faith. We see what Jesus is doing and we want to participate, but we want to plug him in like an update to fix a few bugs…like a patch on worn out pants…like new wine in a dry-rotted wineskin. Our goal is to keep our old habits, vices, and ways of thinking, while simultaneously getting the benefits of Christ.

That is not how Jesus works, though. You cannot put new life into an old lifestyle. Embracing Jesus means that we must embrace the “newness” he brings through repentance. Repentance means changing and purging our hearts of anything that is not compatible with Jesus.

Think about your life. Are there things you are trying to hold on to that just do not work with Christ’s ministry? If so, then you need to throw out the old garments and wineskins. You need to ditch the outdated operating system and upgrade to new thinking and actions which are compatible with Jesus’ goals. Sure, it takes time to learn it and become proficient at it, but the final product is far better than anything you are getting now.

Cory Waddell

[1] Pillar Commentary on Mark by James R. Edwards