New Wine and Old Wineskins: When It's Time to Begin Again

The Parable We Know So Well

One of the more familiar parables of Jesus is the one about new wine and old wineskins. And yes, Jesus is absolutely talking about fermented wine here—that unfermented wine is going to expand as it ferments, releasing carbon dioxide, stretching its container. And if the container is already worn out? It bursts. You lose the wine and the wineskin. It's a mess.

But what I love about this image is the permission it gives. The openness to start again. To say that the structures, systems, and habits we've known—even ones that once served us well—might no longer be the right fit. And that doesn’t have to be an indictment. Sometimes things just end. Sometimes we outgrow what was. And sometimes, we simply sense that God is calling us in a new direction.

When the Old Doesn't Fit Anymore

In this story, Jesus is responding to a question: Why don’t your disciples fast like John's or the Pharisees’? And it's important to know—there was only one day Jews were obligated to fast: the Day of Atonement. So this wasn't a question about obligation, but about difference. Why are they doing this, and you are not?

John's disciples were mourning. The Pharisees fasted regularly on Mondays and Thursdays. Their reasons were valid. But Jesus' response is gently disruptive. He says, "My followers have me with them. This is not the time to mourn."

And then, he tells stories.

A Tale of Torn Jeans and Sartorial Theology

Imagine you rip your favorite pair of jeans. You're 45. You're not pulling off the distressed look anymore. You want to fix them. But if you sew a new patch on those old jeans, that patch will shrink, the stitches will pucker, and the jeans will tear worse than before.

You need an old patch to match the old garment.

Jesus uses this simple, even humorous image, to make a deeply human point: some things just don’t go together. And when you try to force them, you can actually do more damage.

The Commons Story: A Personal Reflection

I started Commons Church a decade ago because, frankly, I didn’t think I was cut out to be a typical senior pastor. I like to move fast, try things, experiment. I can be impatient when a good idea feels ready. And yes, that energy has made Commons a vibrant, adaptable place. It can also be exhausting—just ask the team!

But I know I’m not the right leader for every place. And that’s okay. Some patches won’t fit every garment. Sometimes, you need to start over.

A Word for All of Us

So why don’t we fast like the Pharisees? Because that’s not our thing. And that’s okay.

There’s deep wisdom in recognizing what is yours to do—and what isn’t. There’s peace in hearing Jesus say, “That’s their path. This is mine.” And maybe even permission for you to say, "I just don't think that old way is for me."

Of course, let’s not be arrogant in that. Listening to the wisdom of those who’ve gone before us, staying open to critique, that matters. But so does having the courage to walk your path. To name the need for new containers. To create new wineskins for new callings.

Eyes on the Work Before You

When people tried to pit Jesus against the Pharisees, his instinct wasn’t to tear down. It was to build something new. Something good. Something alive.

And so, if God is calling you to something new—a new form, a new rhythm, a new way of practicing faith in the world—then may you have the grace to leave behind what no longer fits, and the courage to keep your eyes on the work in front of you.

Because new wine deserves new wineskins.