Discarding Old Wineskins

Yesterday we reflected on the call for a new life in Christ as presented in the two Gospel options for this week John 11: 1- 44 The Story of Lazarus and John 12: 20 - 35 The Parable of the Grain of Wheat. I hope you had a chance to read the Gospel passages.

In both the Lazarus story and in the parable of the wheat grain we can discern a shedding of outer garments. Jesus told the onlookers to ‘unbind Lazarus’ and the people removed the bandages that covered his body. And in germination, the seed discards its outer coat as new life bursts forth from within.

We interpret that a new life in Christ arises from within and requires a figurative discarding of outer garments. Often this can be a difficult process. These outer garments can represent social trappings that we have used to make ourselves presentable to the world - social clubs, social identities, personalities, behaviours and places frequented, language and manner of speech. And these are not easily changed.

Jesus in one of his parables said ‘we cannot put new wine in old wineskins’. A new life in Christ requires dicernment as to what are old wineskins and the courage to discard them. Associates, friends and even family members can be disconcerted when we change our ways. Communicating your new life in Christ to them requires patience, tact and communication skills.

Also, very often we have invested heavily in time, talent and treasure in old identities and they have become integral parts of us. We can feel ‘naked’ without these attachments. I know of persons who have invested so much in their jobs and careers that they cannot recover from retirement, sudden dismissal or closure of companies. They become lost in a ‘limbo’ roaming aimlessly, unsure of who they are.

A new life in Christ arises from within and requires discarding of old wineskins. What are the trappings of old wineskins that you have to shed? Abba, through our Lord Jesus Christ, please give us the grace, courage and patience to discard these old wineskins.