READ: Mark 2:21 NLT
‘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.’
Let’s be honest. We all make mistakes. We do things we don’t mean to do and say things we regret. When we own up to our mistakes a common response is to decide to try better next time or to turn over a new leaf. But Jesus rejects the idea that this patching up technique really works. Patching can in fact just make things worse. His answer was that there needs to be complete renewal. Pouring wine into cracked old wineskins is a waste of time. What you need is to pour your lovely new wine into brand new wineskins.
Jesus said something very similar when he met a Pharisee called Nicodemus. Jesus told him that he needed to be born again. Nicodemus received this with consternation. He couldn’t make any sense out of what Jesus was saying. Jesus patiently explained himself and informed this thoughtful religious man that he needed to allow the Holy Spirit to give him a spiritual birth, in just the same way as years before he had experienced a physical birth.
As we live this new spiritual life that Jesus came to bring we will, of course, continue to make silly mistakes. The difference is that as we face up to our failures we are not alone in seeking to overcome them. The Holy Spirit is there to strengthen and direct us and help us to resist temptations and avoid making similar mistakes in the future. The Holy Spirit is constantly with us to enable us to live the spiritual life. So let’s stop trying to patch up our lives in our own strength and welcome the new life of the Spirit.
QUESTION: What parts of your life have been completely transformed by the Spirit, and what still needs renewing?
PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you love us so much that you want to transform our lives completely. Fill me with your Spirit, today. Amen.

Released on 8 Oct 2020