What Jesus Did! 'New Wineskins Needed' — Mark 2:21-22

Thursday, February 8, 2024

[Jesus continued,] "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.

"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."

— Mark 2:21-22 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus wants us to know that being his follower is not just another religious take on the same old religious agenda. He wants us to know that his words and his way of life are not just additional new things to tack onto the same religious teaching. Jesus brings something new, fresh, and comprehensive. To try to mix it into the other religious interests in our lives is to miss the point. What Jesus brings is bigger, bolder, and new! Let's realize that to call Jesus our Lord means we surrender every part of our lives to him ... and that ultimately means we surrender the "religious" parts, too.

Today's Prayer

Lord God Almighty, I offer you myself - all of myself: body, soul, spirit, and mind - to serve you. I want you to have complete rule in my life. Please tear down any idols that I have so that only you reign in my heart. Open my eyes to see your truth in fresh and new ways. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Romans 12:1-2
  • 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
  • Romans 6:3-4

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Not a Patch, but a Whole New World
Article by Phil Ware
Pursue Jesus. Completely pursue him. You will notice that while you are not religious, you are being drawn to a holy character and gracious compassion that religion longs to impart, but cannot! Phil Ware continues looking at the gospel of Mark and reminds us that Jesus isn't a patch on religion or a new joy to infuse old and stale religion; he is an altogether all new thing.
The Worst of both Worlds
Article by Rubel Shelly
Should we mix and match, hold on to the past, or change — how do we know? Ruble Shelly helps think through some of the challenges of change!

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 2:21-22 NLT — "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. "

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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