Word@Work 021 - Mark 2:21-22
Published: Mon, 12/10/07
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 2:21-22 No-one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no-one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins. (NIV)
The DIY boom has receded! Experience in 'doing it yourself' has produced homes that look like building sites and many spouses have had enough. Even the DIY superstores have now included a service to 'do it for you'. But we still like to think that we can patch up our moral and spiritual state. Christmas congregations add a sprinkling of Jesus to their unbelieving hearts - perhaps in the hope that He will be a fix-it through the festive season.
Jesus and his hearers knew that a patch of unshrunk cloth will tear way from old clothing as soon as it gets wet. It just won't work - in fact, it only makes matters worse. Likewise the hardened goatskin that expanded with last year's fermenting wine will burst, and then all the wine will be lost.
The religious mind can only think of patching things up. Some take the best patches from many religious leaders and hope that life will be eternally watertight. No! Jesus speaks about making everything new. What is needed is a root and branch transformation: and only Jesus can make that happen. When He does - it is obvious! So why not be radical, and speak gospel truth to people who are fed up with failed patches?
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am sorry when I make Your new life look like a failed DIY project. Please help me to let You change me from the inside, and then please fill me so that Your life and joy may be irresistibility obvious. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
The DIY boom has receded! Experience in 'doing it yourself' has produced homes that look like building sites and many spouses have had enough. Even the DIY superstores have now included a service to 'do it for you'. But we still like to think that we can patch up our moral and spiritual state. Christmas congregations add a sprinkling of Jesus to their unbelieving hearts - perhaps in the hope that He will be a fix-it through the festive season.
Jesus and his hearers knew that a patch of unshrunk cloth will tear way from old clothing as soon as it gets wet. It just won't work - in fact, it only makes matters worse. Likewise the hardened goatskin that expanded with last year's fermenting wine will burst, and then all the wine will be lost.
The religious mind can only think of patching things up. Some take the best patches from many religious leaders and hope that life will be eternally watertight. No! Jesus speaks about making everything new. What is needed is a root and branch transformation: and only Jesus can make that happen. When He does - it is obvious! So why not be radical, and speak gospel truth to people who are fed up with failed patches?
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am sorry when I make Your new life look like a failed DIY project. Please help me to let You change me from the inside, and then please fill me so that Your life and joy may be irresistibility obvious. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
W@W021 | Word@Work 2002, 2007 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
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Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
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