If there was ever a group of people who frustrated our Lord and Savior it was the religious people of His day. Even though He had created them, and loved them, their lack of self-awareness as sinners made the ministry of Christ a challenge to them. Instead of repenting and trusting in His Lordship they continued to question and malign Him.

Nothing has changed. Religious people today have no need for the Gospel because the Gospel only helps those who realize that they are dead in their sins and have no hope. Unfortunately, religion (no matter which one is followed) takes away the need for a Savior by declaring that certain works, practices or beliefs are all that matter.

After Jesus called Matthew to be one of His disciples, Matthew threw a party for Jesus and invited all of His friends. The Pharisees and the Scribes did not appreciate that Jesus would hang out with “sinners” like that, but Jesus stated that sinners were His mission. He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Since the religious people couldn’t fathom that they themselves were sinners Jesus told them that what He was delivering was not only something new but needed an entirely new container. Just as you can’t put new wine into old wineskins, neither can you place the Holy Spirit in a non-degenerated person. God first regenerates a sinner and then places the Holy Spirit (the third Person of the Trinity) on the inside of that believer. This is the new wine that goes into the new wineskin and is only available to sinners who repent and follow Jesus Christ.

Have you repented and trusted Jesus Christ. If not, why not RIGHT NOW? If you have, then who are the sinners you are hanging with to share Christ’s Gospel?

PRAYER

Dear Jesus. I confess that I am a sinner and in need of your grace. I repent of my sins and I want to follow you. Lord grow my relationship with you and use me to reach other sinners for your glory. Amen.