LUKE 5:37,38
37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish [be ruined].
38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
While visiting the Sea of Galilee in Israel in 2019, I took a picture of a tall clay wine bottle. I love the imagery of the clay bottle as it represents you and me becoming the Lord’s vessels of mercy, filled up with his fresh wine so we can be used for HIS GLORY! (Romans 9:23).
After worshipping Jesus at the shore, I asked the Lord for a word, and opened to Luke 5:36-39:
36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent [tear], and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. (see also Matthew 9:16)
37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish [be ruined].
38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Today, I hear Lord speaking about the “new wine” that fills up the vessel. I find it interesting that the Lord tells us that we cannot pour new wine into old bottles. Why? Because the old bottle, wineskin or “vessel” can’t hold the new wine; it will burst.
This is what I hear the Lord saying: unless you are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit, you cannot contain or be filled up with the glory of God. To be filled up with more of Jesus and his glory through the power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-7), we must first be MADE A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). How does this happen? Only by believing by faith that Jesus Christ is Lord of ALL, and by receiving His free gift of grace and the washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
There is the second teaching in this parable. Jesus tells us in verse 39 that NO MAN with old wine desires new wine. I hear the Lord say: desire a fresh anointing from me daily. Desire new wine. We must let go of the OLD (dead religious traditions and rituals) to receive the new: a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit!
Father, help us pour out the OLD and FILL UP with your FRESH NEW WINE every day,
In Jesus Name,
Amen
