WINE -SKINS

Jesus said: No one puts new wine into old wineskins, for the new wine burst the old skins, ruining the skins and

spilling the wine. New wine must be put into new wineskins. Luke 5.37-38

Obviously, our Lord is distinguishing there between things that are essential (the wine) and the things that are

useful but not primary (the skins). Wine represents the Gospel - the basics, changeless, timeless, everpotent,

always necessary message - The Savior. The wineskins represent that which is secondary, subsidiary, manmade, stuff

like structure, traditions and patterns of doing things which have grown up around and "encased" the wine.

BE aware, the wineskin are the point of contact between the wine and the world. And as the sorrounding pressure

mounts from society, the skins tend to cease being flexible - and are ultimately unable to contain that volatile,

vigorous vino within. And unfortunately, few indeed are those who can tolerate fresh, supple bags to contain the

wine.

A remnant had tasted the wine. They chose to preserve the wine and replace the skin at the cost of being

misunderstood.