Happy New Year! - No One and Everything

S - "Jesus then told them these sayings: No one uses a new piece of cloth to patch old clothes. The patch would shrink and make the hole even bigger. No one pours new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would swell and burst the old skins. Then the wine would be lost, and the skins would be ruined. New wine must be put only into new wineskins. No one wants new wine after drinking old wine. They say, “The old wine is better.” Luke 5

O - These sayings are told in response to a challenge given to Jesus about the religious practices of his followers.  In his reply three "no one" statements are made.  Of course, no one would patch an old coat that way.  Of course, no one puts new wine into old wineskins.  And no one who drinks the old wine wants the new.  Yet, the "old wine" drinkers of culture (religious and nonreligious) often attempt to do just that.  Jesus is not heaven's "patch" for the old coat nor is he old wine for old wineskins and those who drink it.  He is the new coat, the new wine and he is perpetually incompatible with the old.   

A - The passing of time is the factor in a new year, new coat and in new wine becoming old.  Comfort, familiarity and taste are the lawful results of the old.  And this really is the "no one" problem for all who follow Jesus.  Over time I learn to live a cadence that becomes comfortable, familiar and tasty to me. Yet, from time to time I'm offered a new coat and new wine by Jesus. The question is what will I do with them when offered.  This is among the reasons why Jesus requires his followers to give up everything … even the old coat he gave me and the old wine he's been sharing with me along the way.  “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my followers.” I will welcome the New Year, new coat and the new wine and give up the old … unto the life that is really life!  

P - Friend of sinners and therefore friend of me,

I accept the terms of following … everything!  I accept the without exception reality you describe … no one! Am so very grateful for your provision of "coats", "wineskins" and "wine" day by day in my decades of following. I will accept the new any and every time you offer.  I do admit that I often like the old taste and old feel better than the new.  Nevertheless, you lead and I follow.  I am glad to be with you regardless of attire or taste.  You are vibrant, irrepressible life. You have loved us first, most and refused to change your mind.  I love you back! Yes, to you and to your new!

Steve