Luke 5:33-39
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read Luke 5:33-39 slowly and thoughtfully.
The people in this passage have witnessed the habits of John’s followers and the followers of the Pharisees, but they don’t seem to be disciples of anyone themselves. They have developed ideas about what discipleship looks like, but their ideas are purely theoretical. Still, they are quick to criticize that which they don’t understand. So Jesus uses a familiar illustration to answer their question.
Marriage celebrations in first century Israel were joyous events that lasted for many days, and for the duration of the celebration any customs or laws involving mourning or repentance were temporarily suspended. Just as a marriage celebration marks the beginning of a new family, the coming of Jesus marks the creation of a new way of being the people of God.
Stop to think about your own religious activities and habits - the ways you engage in your faith. Would you characterize these activities as life-giving and joyous? Talk with Jesus about this for a while.
Read Luke 5:33-39 again paying special attention to Jesus’ words about wineskins.
When Jesus was born into humanity, the Kingdom of God broke into life as usual, and everything changed. And because the work of Jesus is regenerative, followers of Jesus are still continuously being changed and transformed into his image.
If we become overly committed to our religious containers – the ways we worship, the places we meet, the religious customs we have developed – the work that God wants to do in us, among us, and through us will eventually either disrupt our “old wineskins” or be stifled as we refuse to let go of the old containers. It can be hard to hold our religious practices loosely, but if we don’t make room for the ever-expanding Kingdom of God, we will miss something so much more important.
Be still for a moment and try get in touch with anything you are feeling right now. Name any emotion you can identify and talk openly with Jesus about the source of what you are feeling.
Then return to silence and listen to Jesus for a while.
What might Jesus want you to hear and put into practice today?
What will you do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
