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Did you participate in our Lent reading plan last year? Well, we’ve put together a new plan for you to use this Lent (or anytime, really!). This year, we’ll be spending 40 Days with The Storyteller.
Do you celebrate Lent? Some Christians do, and some don’t. If you don’t know much about it, I explained in this post from last year that:
“Traditionally, Lent is a 40 day (46 days total when you include Sundays) period of intentionally dwelling on the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus.
Ultimately, Lent is a humbling time of reflection on all God has done for mankind.
Rather than asking you to give something up (that’s between you and God) we’re asking that you consider joining us for [this Lenten plan].”
This year we’ll focus on the parables and illustrations of Christ, in chronological order as we spend 40 Days with The Storyteller.
We’ve made a printable bookmark to help you keep track of the daily readings. Print it up on cardstock and tuck it in your Bible. Look it over then let it wait until Wednesday, March 6th, when we’ll begin. Check off each day as you read, keeping in mind that there are no readings on Sundays. You can use that day for reflection or as a “catch up” day if needed. We’ve also included a pretty inspirational verse card for you!
Click the image above to download your bookmark reading plan, or click the link below.
Lent 2019 Reading Plans Bookmark and Image
Luke 5:33-38
To start us off, I’ll go ahead and share bit about the first parable in our reading plan – that way, when you start on Wednesday, you’ll already have a jumpstart!
In this passage from Luke, Jesus answers a question about fasting.
The disciples of John fasted and prayed. So did the disciples of the Pharisees.
Yet Jesus’ disciples feasted. Matter of fact, if you go up a few verses to Luke 5:27-32, you’ll see the context. Levi (also known as Matthew) had just called together a group of “sinners” for a party of sorts, introducing them to the guest of honor that he had chosen to follow: Jesus!
There were some who were obviously not happy that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors. And they were confused by His disciples’ lack of fasting.
Jesus gave them this parable in return:
He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 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. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” (Luke 5:36-39)
What Did Jesus Mean?
Jesus was doing something brand new. Of course it wouldn’t look familiar to them (like the old garment or old wineskins), but instead would be something revolutionary!
I love this succinctly complete answer from GotQuestions.org:
“…you can’t mix old religious rituals with new faith in Jesus. Jesus’ disciples were not fasting along with the Pharisees and John’s disciples because they were now under the new covenant of grace and faith in Christ. As mentioned earlier, Jesus fulfilled the law; therefore, there is no longer any need to continue with the old rituals. Jesus cannot be added to a works-based religion. In the case of the Pharisees, they were consumed with their own self-righteousness, and faith in Jesus cannot be combined with self-righteous rituals.” (emphasis, mine)
I’m glad the new doesn’t look like the old. I’m so thankful for the way of grace and that Jesus fulfilled the law. How about you?
As the Lenten season begins, let’s praise God for sending us Jesus! Let’s thank Him for the new covenant of grace and faith in Christ!
Blessings,
Ali
I read this parable a few days ago and had been contemplating it a bit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts … very insightful!