“No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” Luke 5:36-38

DEVOTION

 In this passage, Jesus is teaching in parable, likely comparing the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. The ways of the Old Covenant simply weren’t needed because of the New Covenant found in Jesus Christ.

The New Year is often marked by resolutions. We set plans to do something different, whether that be to eat healthier, pray more often, or read our Bibles daily, but the passage above makes me think, “What is God asking me to stop doing?”

“No one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins”. Sometimes we develop habits that are not beneficial in our walk with Christ. Perhaps they are not sinful at the surface, but they may hinder something new God wants to do. 

Which old practices are you carrying into 2022 that need to be thrown out? What hindrances exist that prevent you from having a deeper relationship with the Father and a more fulfilling Christian walk? Where do you need to get rid of old wineskins and replace them with new ones so you are ready to receive the new wine?

PRAYER

Lord, As we enter this new year and throughout the year, I pray we are constantly looking for areas in our lives that need attention in order to grow closer to you. Highlight the areas. In your Son’s name, Amen.

Josh Klossner 

Director of Finance

jklossner@crossings.church

Joshua Klossner is the Director of Finance and also serves in Worship Ministries at Crossings Community Church.

RESOURCES

• Sermon series: "Some Things Gotta Give"
• The Next Right Thing: "Prepared for Action"
• Sanctuary Worship: Covenant Song