Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue

Then He spoke a parable to them: “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. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ” Luke 5:36-39

As we reflect upon the last year in contemplation of the next, Jesus' words beg us to consider our habits and traditions.  If our soul has been reborn, then we will not continue following the old habits and traditions of man. 

Jesus calls us far, far away from the failed customs and traditions of the culture to soar high above them.  This new way is the mysterious and beautiful way of faith, and as we act in faith, we come to know and experience the love of God greater than any love we could ever begin to imagine. 

Hebrews 10:19-23 says, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

In Scripture, the High Priest's robe was to be all of blue (Exodus 28:31) representing holiness and divinity, connecting God to man.  When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He became our High Priest providing access to God the Father through the Son, apart from any other high priest.  In the Tabernacle, the service utensils, the lampstand, the golden altar, the ark of the Covenant, and the table of showbread were all to be covered in blue cloth, as well.  By His death and resurrection, Jesus became our divine covering, allowing us who receive Him, becoming all these things and more in service to Him.

Stop and consider the vastness of God's love for you and for me in these deliberate acts.  Consider, too, that hell is very real (Matthew 5:29).

Jesus' way is radically different from the world's way.  His is the way of lending, not of borrowing, of giving, not of taking.  This is our way, too, if we have chosen to follow Him.

This day as we consider the importance of making the most of every moment we have been given for the King of kings and Lord of lords, may we not be burdened by the call to be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), but rather encouraged, recognizing the grandness of God's design and the vastness of His love and plan for each and every one of us.

Happy New Year, Runners.