Jesus frequently taught in parables. Parables, simply put, are stories that define or describe something that is unknown with something that is known.
One of the most familiar is often called the “Parable of the Good Samaritan.” It tells of a man who was mugged and left for dead. Three people – a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan – came across the man, but only the Samaritan stopped to help.
Jesus told this story in response to the question, “And who is my neighbor?” You see, the man asking this question wanted to feel justified that he was already loving his neighbors. But Jesus used the story to create a “teachable moment,” to help him have an “AHA! moment.” Jesus wanted him to understand that all people – even those he loathed – were his neighbors.
To say that Jesus was prompting him to get out of his comfort zone is an understatement. But that is what Jesus often did. The Gospel isn't about comfort, and it certainly isn't about preserving our prejudices or preferences .
Over the next few months I am going to be preaching the parables of Jesus. It has been said that, “Preaching a parable is a novice preacher's dream but often an experienced preacher's nightmare.” I'm neither, but I know it is going to be tough to preach Jesus' parables in a way that people nearly 2000 years later, who speak a different language, and live in a different setting, will have their own “AHA! moments” without having the provocative power of the parable domesticated by over explanation.
The first parable we are going to look at is found in Luke 5. Jesus tells it in response to being questioned about why his disciples don't pray and fast like other disciples. It speaks of taking cloth from a new garment to patch an old garment and of putting new wine into old wineskins. I can't remember the last time I saw someone with a patch on their clothing. In fact, torn jeans may actually cost more than untorn ones! And I don't know that much about wineskins.
But I do know that Jesus was communicating a very important truth and I'm going to do my best to help those to whom I preach to hear that truth. I'll give you a hint, I think it has something to do with change.
This parable ends with the curious statement, “And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.' " I know enough about wine to know that old wine is usually more valued than new wine. But is it always better? Sometimes old wine goes bad. But I don't think Jesus is giving a Wineology lesson. Instead, I think Jesus is saying something about people who are unwilling to even give new wine a try! But I've given away too much already.
We at Rockland Community Church are trying something new. If you aren't part of a local church, I invite you to come worship with us. Beginning April 11, we will have a three-part worship service (see our ad or visit our website for more info). Come for the 30, 60, or 90 minutes that work best for you!
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