Luke 5:33-39
What is the context and who is the audience? Read v29-30,33. Levi (Matthew) is just called. Disciples of John the Baptist and Pharisees are present.
v33. They were comparing themselves by outward, visible observations. We must not judge by that which falls under the eye and observation of the world.
Who are the characters?
- Bridegroom – Christ
- Attendants – Believers
v34. He is telling them that they should be celebrating and rejoicing now while He is with them.
v35. Jesus doesn’t say not to fast, but not to do it religiously or boastfully.
v36. (2 Tim 3:2-5) Making a comparison to true believers. (2 Tim 3:7) Compared to (Is 61:10)
More characters, symbolized in inanimate objects.
- New wine skins – Body of believers
- Old wine skins – Unrepentant hearts
- New wine – Blood of Christ in the Gospel of Grace, New Covenant
- Old wine – Works, Law, Old Covenant
v37. Spilled out – (Gal 2:21) Christ alone.
v38. (2 Cor 5:17)
What human beliefs are shattered?
- Works or cleaning up your sins is the work of the Holy Spirit, not you
- 100% Grace, not grace and works, or grace and Law, or grace and anything else
What divine wisdom is revealed?
- Doing things for the sake of tradition or ritual or ceremony or appearance is trying to patch up the old way of life and eventually it will fall apart
v39. (Only recorded in Luke) Works are always more appealing to men than faith. Why? Pride. (Gal 5:4) Don’t burst your wine skin by mixing the Old Covenant with Grace/Salvation. (Jn 2:1-11) He didn’t add wine or wine flavoring to the water, He completely changed it!