2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46 ESV, Luke 5:29-6:11 ESV, Psalm 66:1-20 ESV, Proverbs 11:24-26 ESV
Daily Verse: “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.” (Luke 5:37 ESV)
OINOS (3631): “The general word for wine. The mention of the bursting of the wineskins implies fermentation. In Mt. 27:34 it is translated “vinegar” the result of complete fermentation.”[I]
Wine ferments.
Fine wine takes time to develop, anywhere from 2-15 years, depending on the type of vino. Another subtle reminder about the journey of life we all make, each of us with different fermentation speeds.
Journeying with Christ, we become new creatures. Our lives ferment and become different as we put God’s word into practice in our life. Allowing Jesus to transform our lives means we’re different today than yesterday, each passing hour turning us into a unique wine.
Process becomes outcome.
Just as sugar becomes ethyl alcohol, we become fine wine as well. Our lives’ unique blend of flavors develops over time from life experiences. Like our old lifestyle, old wineskins can’t hold the fresh creation. We can’t do the things we used to do and still produce fine wine.
In my twenties, I got stomped. Life slapped me in the face as I defiantly followed my own will. Too much alcohol, spending, and bad relationships left me alone and miserable. Only then did I turn my eyes heavenward, seeking Jesus once more.
Turning back to Jesus meant I stopped doing all those things. The old wineskin could no longer hold the new wine. Following Jesus led me to live a life of moderation in all things, which needed a new container for my transformed life. An imperfect person, the fermentation process continues each day I live.
Allow Jesus to transform your life today, let His process help you become a fine wine. Each day, become a little sweeter as you follow Christ closer.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 177) Thomas Nelson
