JESUS' TEACHINGS - PARABLES

                                    

                                           6: NEW CLOTH & NEW WINE

"Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. An no one puts new wine into new wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. NEW WINE is stored into NEW WINESKINS so that they are PRESRVED." Matthew 9:16&17 (NLT)

This Parable is of NEW CLOTH and NEW WINE  is found in 3 Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke. He uses these "metaphors" with messages of His Kingdom.

This compares with Religious Teachings and practices of the day - "shrinking and tearing of garments" (the Word of God); loss of wine from "wineskins" (the Kingdom of God). Jesus emphasizes the new teaching  - the mindset of his message and the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus mingled with sinners and outcasts and this aggravated the Teachers of the Law and even some of John's disciples were questioning Him. So why did Jesus tell them these stories? He wanted His disciples to join in His ministry. 

"For whatever things were written before were written for OUR LEARNING, that we, WITH PATIENCE, and COMFORT of the SCRIPTURES, might have HOPE."                                                                                                                    Romans 15:4 (NIV)

"These are not Sunday School stories or nomadic fables. They are historic moments which are REAL GOD MOMENTS meant to meet REAL PAIN. Where is God when you are hurt? Where does God meet your ashes?"  Max Lucado

                  7. THE HARVEST IS PLETIFUL, THE WORKERS ARE FEW

"Then He said to His disciples, "THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL, BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW. Ask the Lord of the harvest, TO SEND OUT WORKERS INTO HIS HARVEST FIELD.   Luke 10:2&3 (NIV)

Jesus selects His disciples , not only to be His followers but to be His "ministers" (workers or witnesses).  They were expecting hardship but they knew that God would be with them and would take care of them.  

" The word "Apostle" means messenger - spreading God's Word. Jesus was spreading them out with His authority and instructions".                                                                                                              Pat and David Alexander.

I was reading a devotion recently and it challenged me about how young people today were able to share the Gospel will their school friends. The potential they hand to witnes with others, to bring them to their Church Youth Groups and then to Church, and "model Jesus" , share His Word and reach out to others was amazing. 

Lord, there is so much need in the world, and although the workers seem to be few, God seems to be raising up young people and sending them out into His harvest field. Slowly and surely, there are changes happening the world, if we open our eyes. 

"Jesus called His 12 disciples and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and heal every sickness and disease. These 12 Jesus semt out with the following instructions: "Do not go out among the Gentiles or enter into Samaritan towns. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel, as you proclaim the message: "The Kingdom has come near."    Matthew 10: 5&6 (NIV)

"Go, I am  sending you out like lambs among wolves." Luke 10:3 (NIV)

Jesus tells us not "not to be afraid", for we will face a lot of opposition. Sometimes it is LEADERSHIP, GOVERNMENT and KINGS. But the HOLY SPIRIT will provide all the help we need.  

"I will not be with you speaking, but the SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER, THROUGH YOU." Matthew 10:20 (NIV)

"Do not take a purse or bag  or sandals; but do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, "PEACE TO THIS HOUSE". If  someone who PROMOTES PEACE IS THERE, YOUR PEACE will REST ON THEM; it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you." Luke 10:6-8 (NIV)

The Gospels summarize JESUS TEACHING AND MINISTRY, proclaiming the KINGDOM OF GOD. In the model of JESUS' LOVE AND PEACE, His disciples are shown HIS VISION. We to NEED TO BE URGENT! We need to have REST AND PEACE in homes of one another, when we SHARE WITH THEM the GOSPEL - JESUS' MOTIVE OF LOVE  and COMPASSION. Jesus cared for the lowsest of the lowest (the unclean) and he wants us to PRAY for EVERYONE, PROCLAIMING to them the KINGDOM OF GOD, JESUS' LOVE and SALATION AS OUR BEST FRIEND!

"When He saw the crowds, He felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36  (NCV)

"Pray for the people to be RAISED and to FOLLOW JESUS, reaching to the HARVEST. He asks us to MODEL his Ministry and SHARE His Mission." Nicky Gumbel

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION" - 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW CENTURY VERSION" - 2005, Thomas Nelson

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION" - 2011, Biblica

Alexander, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook of the Bible.", 2009, Lion Hudson Publishers

Gumbel, Nicky & Pippa, "The Bible in One Year", 2009/2025, Alpha/You Version

Lucado, Max, "He Still Moves Stones", 1993, Word Inc, Dallas, Texas

"The Harvest is Ready", (2023), Tommy & Eileen Walker (Composers & Vocals);      Sam Buener, Bryan Taylor, Jonte Moore, Tommy Walker, Carlo Gallaro-Candia (Musicians); Carlo Gallaro-Candia, Jay Bowen, Chris Raub, Amt Vreen,     Lucas Odhner (Tech) , Tommy Walker Ministries/Soulful Scripture Songs