PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 9

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins.” (Matthew 9:17)
I have not experienced fasting as a meaningful experience.
At one time I felt that this was a problem, a spiritual problem.
Now I am set free from that feeling… set free by Jesus.
The religious leaders saw religious exercises as the main focus.
Jesus challenges this, pointing beyond them to himself.
He is the reality, these practices are just shadows.
There is nothing wrong with engaging in religious exercises.
I have a number of spiritual practices that I engage in.
But these practices are functional, drawing me to Jesus.
Religious rituals and practices are old wineskins.
They can and should be replaced if they no longer work well.
Find wineskins that enable you to receive the wine (Jesus).
Engage in spiritual practices that work for you.
And let go of guilt for not doing what others think you should do.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I want to know you, not just religious rituals. Use the practices I do engage in to fill me with the new wine of God’s love and goodness.