Wineskins

"No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old.  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled and the wineskins will be ruined."  Luke 5:37 NKJV

The compatibility of the old and the new is difficult to achieve and maintain.  I was watching a "Downton Abbey" episode yesterday and an older man had been managing the estate for 40 years.  As a new owner came on the scene he wanted to make some changes that would require almost everything to change.  The older gentleman immediately resigned.  He said, "I'm the old broom and your are the new broom!"  While the newer owner was willing for the older man to remain in position and make the changes, the older gentleman knew it was not going to work.  He just couldn't do it!  He did the honorable thing and stepped aside.

There is a day when the old has to make the call and step aside for the next generation to lead.  It is never without pain.  I have heard some great sermons on "renewing the wineskin".  These messages talk about soaking the old wineskin and rubbing oil in it and getting it ready for the new wine.  The only problem with this hopeful sounding analogy is that Jesus says it can't happen.  He said, "no one" does it.  If you can't renew an old wineskin, then what is the hope or place for the old wineskin?  If an old wineskin wants to remain viable throughout it's lifetime it must always remain new.  That is possible!  I have seen a few, very few who saw the big picture and prepared for the future by preparing the ground for the new crop.  Too many of the old spend their last years celebrating their great harvests of the past rather than being involved in the ongoing preparation for a new harvest.    I've been going through some old family photos that are 50-60 years old.  There is my granddad, aunts, uncles, siblings, etc.  I get all excited about it and try to share them with others.  It is obvious that they try to be cordial but they aren't interested. They are interested is showing me new pictures.  I have a choice to make here.  I can cling to the old or start taking pictures of the new.  I must remain involved in the lives and ministries of the young.  Then I will have the opportunity to share in the future.

It appears from the words of Jesus that once a wineskin becomes old, it's old.  The secret here is to remain young inwardly.  Before you think that I am only talking to the over 65 set, I am talking to everyone.  Kingdom advancement requires a discipling and training track that is dedicated to perpetuation.

2 Cor. 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."

Wisdom and Work

In 1 Kings 3 and II Chronicles 1 we read the story of Solomon coming to power after the death of his father, King David.  I can't imagine the pressure involved in following the legendary David.  Many might try to do it by "wowing the crowd".  Solomon proves his worthiness to be his father's successor by crying out to God, confessing his inability to to do the job God called him to do and asking for wisdom from above.  Lessor men, trying to be more, might employ those to make them look good and some would even try to prove themselves in some "real man" exploits.  Solomon seems content to place himself firmly in the hands of Almighty God.  He would either rise or fall by God's power.  

For those of us following the principles applied by Solomon in an effort to achieve good leadership skills, we might think Solomon came to success without much personal effort.  Nothing could be farther  from the truth.  It seems that striking a balance in spiritual matters is difficult.  My good friend Dr. Bill Thomas once said, "it seems we go from ditch to ditch but can't live in the middle of the road."  The Lord wants his followers to be just that, followers.  Yet, he wants us to become humble leaders of men while continuing to remain humble subjects of the King.  It is in the leading of men that we must get out of the comfort of our nest.  Many lessons have been taught from the comfort of the University lectern without proving ones theories out in the day to day world.  Many sermons have been preached from the warm fuzzy place of the pulpit without personally seeing them work in real life.  Solomon cried out for wisdom and strength but after his prayer he got to work building.  The Temple that he built according to the plans handed down by David lasted over 400 years.  You don't build something that lasts 400 years without hard, hard work.  

Solomon was not a passive leader.  He had learned well watching his father lead.  There is a time to pray and a time to act.  I love the NLT translation of II Chronicles 1:1.  It says, "Solomon son of David took firm control of his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful."  Solomon took firm control of his Kingdom!  Once we get a clear plan or vision from God we must not camp there and build three tabernacles.  We must not get too comfortable in that lofty place of revelation, we must take action.  True Biblical patterns of success requires a dependence upon God for under girding of the bridge and a willingness to boldly lead our group over that bridge in faith.