No taste for new wine

At the end of Luke 5 Jesus speaks of the conflict between the Old and New Covenants. In verse 39 He indicates the hindrance this conflict would be for Israel, saying (my translation) ''No one drinking old wine will desire new because he says, 'The old is good.''' The grave danger of being trapped in faulty religion is that the adherent is satiated by it and can fail to see his need for more--real union with Christ. It was easier for those, like tax-collectors and sinners, who had never sought to uphold the law to trust in Christ because they recognized their need. Scribes and Pharisees already felt a (false) sense of satisfaction.

An almost boast

As the apostle Paul has made clear, no one will boast before the Lord. Yet some people become a part of the Lord's activity in ways that give them a story that may almost be envied. Two that I read about today are Simon the Cyrene and Joseph of Arimathea. Think about Simon: here's a guy just caught up in the happenings of the day, returning from the market, and chosen from the crowd to carry Jesus' cross. I imagine this was against his will, for who wants to be on the sharp end of a Roman crucifixion process? Why was he chosen? Did Romans have racial animosities toward blacks (as Cyrenes would have been)? Was it because of his size (I assume this was a physically demanding charge)? Or was he simply in the right place at the right time? When Mark wrote his gospel, Simon was known to the readers, as demonstrated by his description as ''the father of Alexander and Rufus.'' This makes me think that this event had such an impact upon him that it resulted in his eventual conversion. And what a story that would be: ''I carried Jesus' cross! I was chosen by God to serve my Lord in his hour of greatest need.'' Or would this humble me beyond measure? Such an honor and others more worthy...I didn't even believe at the time, didn't know what I was doing...now I would count it an honor, then it was an inconvenience...I'll never boast before the Lord.
Think also of Joseph of Arimathea: He identified with Jesus even after the apostles had fled, risking reprisal from the council of which he was a leader. He honored the man, Jesus, with a significant contribution, for a hand-hewn cave is no meager gift, and this upon his death, when no credit was likely forthcoming--a sincere effort. What a story that would be: ''I laid Jesus in the tomb! I stood for him at his hour of need.'' I wonder if I'd feel honored to use the tomb after my own demise, like Spurgeon delighting to sit in the chair of John Gill upon his first visit to New Park Street Church. Or would this humble me beyond measure, knowing myself to be unworthy of occupying a space that had once housed the Savior of the world? Would I feel ashamed when I recounted the story...I refused to follow Jesus openly when I had the chance...I honored the memory of a dead man and thought it was the end...I believed him to be no more than a misunderstood man of God...I'll never boast before the Lord.
Praise the Lord for his mercy! The best we can do is an almost boast.

Rejoicing In Real Life

''You are to rejoice before the Lord your God in everything you put your hand to'' (Deuteronomy 12:18). What a description of worship! The Israelites were being instructed about their need bring the firstfruits of their harvest and of their flocks to the Lord in his temple. At the heart of this act of worship was this beautiful purpose. They were rejoicing before the Lord over the labors of life--farming and herding.
Too often we view our labors as necessary burdens to carry out in the cause of survival. The Lord would have us look at them as gifts from him--ways to enjoy Him, opportunities to fulfill our calling in the world. When we gather before him we should be gladdened by the opportunity to present to him some of the blessing which he has bestowed upon us. We should be giving thanks for the things which we have put our hands to, and for how he has caused us to prosper in it. When Adam was created the first thing God did for him was give him something to ''put (his) hand to.'' This is a gift apart from its rewards, and to offer the Lord some of the rewards in return is our opportunity to express our joy and gratitude for the gift.
How would our lives be different if we saw our labors, our projects, and our activities--both work and play--as chances to enjoy the Lord? How would church worship be different if we brought to the assembly an enjoyment of life and open expressions of gratitude for it?