The New and the Old: A Parable of Transformation

Scripture Reference: Mark 2:21-22 (NIV)

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.

Introduction

Good morning, church! It’s a blessing to gather together today as we open God’s Word and allow His truth to shape and guide our lives. We’ve all experienced times when something old starts to wear out—whether it’s a favorite piece of clothing, an old habit, or even an outdated mindset. The natural reaction is often to patch things up, to make do with what we have, rather than embrace something entirely new. But today, we’ll see that Jesus challenges us not just to repair the old but to embrace the new life He offers.

In Mark 2:21-22, Jesus gives us a vivid parable about old garments and new patches, old wineskins and new wine. At first glance, this may seem like a simple lesson in practical living—don’t put new cloth on an old garment, and don’t pour new wine into old wineskins. But as we’ll discover, this parable is about much more than cloth or wine. It’s a call to transformation. Jesus invites us to let go of old ways of thinking, old traditions, and old habits, so that we can fully experience the new life He offers through His grace.

Today, we’ll explore what it means to embrace the "new" that Jesus brings, and we’ll examine the dangers of clinging to the past. Are we ready to become new wineskins, flexible and open to the work of the Holy Spirit? Let’s dive into this powerful parable and see how Jesus calls us to transformation, freedom, and abundant life.

History and Backstory.

The passage from Mark 2:21-22 takes place early in Jesus' public ministry. At this time, Jesus was traveling throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and gaining a following. However, He was also facing growing opposition from religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and teachers of the law. These religious leaders were deeply rooted in the Jewish traditions and laws of the Old Covenant. They believed that strict observance of the law was the key to maintaining a right relationship with God. Jesus’ message, which emphasized grace, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal, challenged their traditional beliefs and practices.

This passage occurs within the larger context of a series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders. In the verses leading up to Mark 2:21-22, the Pharisees questioned Jesus about why His disciples did not fast, a practice that was common in Jewish tradition. Fasting was associated with mourning and repentance, and it was a key element of their religious expression. Jesus responds by using the image of a bridegroom at a wedding, suggesting that His presence is a time of celebration, not mourning. He then transitions into the parable of the new cloth on old garments and new wine in old wineskins to illustrate the incompatibility of the new life He brings with the old religious structures and traditions.

The historical background of this passage reveals the tension between the old Jewish laws and the new gospel message of Jesus. The religious leaders were concerned that Jesus was undermining their traditions, but Jesus was introducing a new way of relating to God—one based on grace rather than law. His teachings were revolutionary in a culture deeply embedded in religious customs. By using the metaphors of old garments and old wineskins, Jesus was explaining that His gospel could not simply be added to the old ways. The new life He offered required a complete transformation, a break from the rigid legalism of the past.

1. The Old Garment and the New Patch: A Picture of the Old and New Covenant

Explanation: Jesus starts the parable with a practical image: sewing a new patch onto an old garment. The old garment represents the Old Covenant, and the new patch represents the New Covenant. The old law had been in place for generations, but now Jesus brings something new and transformative. The message is clear—He didn't come to patch up the old system but to bring a whole new way of life.

Argumentation: Jesus' message was revolutionary. The Old Covenant required adherence to the law, but Jesus came to fulfill the law and offer grace and salvation. This new covenant of grace and transformation cannot simply be added onto the old system. The gospel doesn't fit into the old frameworks of human effort or religious tradition; it brings an entirely new way of life through grace.

Application: Are you trying to "patch up" your spiritual life with quick fixes, or are you embracing the new life that Jesus offers? This new life requires us to let go of the old ways of thinking—whether it be self-righteousness, legalism, or tradition—and fully embrace the transformation that comes through faith in Christ.

Illustration: Imagine an old family quilt that has been passed down for generations. It’s been patched many times with new pieces of fabric. But one day, someone uses a new, stiff piece of cloth to fix a tear. Over time, the new patch shrinks and pulls at the old, delicate fabric, causing the quilt to tear even worse. This is what happens when we try to fit the new life of grace into the old ways of the law and tradition—it doesn't work.

"Turn! Turn! Turn!" by The Byrds (1965), which is based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. The song talks about different seasons of life and change, fitting with the sermon’s focus on moving from the old ways to the newness of life in Christ.

2. New Wine in New Wineskins: A Call to Transformation

Explanation: Jesus speaks of new wine being placed into new wineskins. In biblical times, new wine was still fermenting and expanding, requiring flexible new wineskins. If new wine was put into old, brittle skins, the skins would burst under the pressure. Jesus is using this image to teach that the gospel requires a fresh, flexible heart, ready to expand and be transformed.

Argumentation: Just as old wineskins cannot contain the dynamic, expanding new wine, old mindsets cannot contain the transformative power of the gospel. The gospel demands newness—new hearts, minds, and lives. Jesus invites us to be like new wineskins, open to the life-changing work of the Holy Spirit, ready to be filled with new life.

Application: Are our hearts like old wineskins, rigid and resistant to change? Or are we open to being transformed by the gospel? If God is calling you to something new, be ready to let go of old ways and habits. Don’t let a hardened mindset or rigid tradition prevent you from experiencing the full life that Jesus offers.

Illustration: Think of a new phone that requires the latest software to function properly. If you try to use old, outdated software on it, it won’t work—it needs a new operating system. In the same way, we need new hearts and minds to live fully in the newness of the gospel. Old patterns of thinking and living can’t contain the power and transformation that Jesus brings.

3. The Danger of Holding on to the Old

Explanation: Jesus warns us about holding onto the old. Trying to combine the old ways of living under the law with the new ways of grace leads to confusion and brokenness. The old cannot contain the new, and attempting to hold onto both will cause greater damage than letting go of the old entirely.

Argumentation: We often resist change because the old is comfortable and familiar. But Jesus teaches that clinging to the old can prevent us from fully experiencing the new life He offers. Just as the new patch pulls away from the old garment, trying to mix the old covenant with the new covenant of grace leads to spiritual frustration and brokenness.

Application: Are there areas in your life where you’re still holding onto the old? Maybe it’s an old mindset, an old habit, or an old way of doing things that no longer serves you. Jesus is calling us today to let go of the old so that we can fully embrace the new life He offers. It’s time to step into the newness of life in Christ.

Illustration: Picture a child who refuses to give up an old, broken toy, even though they’ve been given a brand-new one. The old toy is familiar, even though it’s no longer useful. The child misses out on the joy of the new toy because they won’t let go of the old. In the same way, we sometimes cling to old, broken ways of living when Jesus is offering us something new and far better—His grace, love, and freedom.

"The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it." – Rafiki, The Lion King

This quote can be used to illustrate the point about letting go of the old and not allowing the past to prevent you from experiencing the new life that Jesus offers.

4. The Joy of the New

Explanation: New wine in the Bible symbolizes celebration, joy, and abundance. Jesus didn't come to offer a patched-up life, but a life full of joy and fulfillment. The new life He offers is one of abundance, grace, and freedom, not a mixture of the old burdens of guilt and law with the new.

Argumentation: In John 10:10, Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The new life in Christ is one of abundance and joy. We are no longer bound by guilt, fear, or striving, but are free to live in the fullness of God’s blessings. This is the joy of the new wine that Jesus brings—freedom, grace, and abundance.

Application: Are you living in the joy and abundance that Jesus offers? Or are you still clinging to the burdens of guilt, fear, and self-effort? Jesus invites us to experience the fullness of life, a life of joy and freedom. This joy comes when we surrender to His grace and allow Him to transform our lives from the inside out.

Illustration: Think about a wedding celebration where the best wine is saved for last. The guests are filled with joy, celebrating the union of the bride and groom. This is the kind of joy that Jesus brings into our lives—new wine that overflows with celebration and abundance. Just as the guests at the wedding rejoiced in the new wine, we too can rejoice in the new life that Jesus gives us.

Conclusion

As we bring this message to a close, I want to invite each of us to take a moment to reflect on our own lives. Jesus’ parable about the new cloth and new wine isn’t just about old garments or wineskins—it’s about the condition of our hearts. Are we holding onto the past, clinging to old ways of thinking and living that no longer serve God’s purposes in our lives? Are we trying to patch up our spiritual lives with temporary fixes instead of allowing Jesus to transform us from the inside out?

Jesus didn’t come to repair our old, broken lives—He came to make us completely new. He’s not interested in fitting His grace into our old ways of doing things. He’s calling us to let go of the old and fully embrace the new life He offers. The gospel is a radical, life-altering truth that doesn’t fit into rigid, outdated forms. It requires new wineskins—hearts that are open, flexible, and willing to be transformed by His power.

So today, let’s ask ourselves: Where in our lives are we trying to hold onto the old? What is God asking us to release so that we can step into the fullness of what He has for us? Let’s trust that His plans for us are far better than anything we could imagine. Let’s surrender our old ways, our old habits, and even our old mindsets, so that we can receive the new wine of His grace and live in the abundance of joy, freedom, and transformation that only He can give.

As we leave here today, may we walk in the newness of life that Jesus offers, knowing that He doesn’t just patch up our brokenness—He makes us entirely new. Amen!

"You cannot start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one." – Unknown