Preparing the New Wine

I've often written about this, but I keep returning to the question: How can we effectively share the gospel with the next generation in an increasingly hostile culture?

Mark 2:18–22 (ESV)
Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

The Context

I have a particular fondness for Mark’s gospel, possibly due to its flow. By this point in the narrative, we see growing crowds:

Mark 1:37: “Everyone is looking for you”
Mark 1:47: “Yet the people still came to Him from everywhere”
Mark 2:2: “So many gathered that there was no room”
Mark 2:13: “A large crowd”

As the crowds grew, so did the conflict.

The Confrontation

The text notes, “Now John’s disciples AND the Pharisees were fasting.” If everyone else was fasting, why weren’t Jesus’ disciples?

Were the people asking honest questions, or were they just looking for a fight? 

The tone seems snarky and accusatory: “Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” They implied that Jesus’ disciples were not devout.

Jesus’ Response

Jesus responds with three illustrations:

The Wedding: The bridegroom will leave eventually, but now is the time to celebrate.
Patching a Garment: An improper patch can worsen the tear.
Wineskins: New wine requires new wineskins to prevent loss.

These illustrations emphasize that there is a time for everything. Jesus' presence signifies a time of celebration, not fasting. He is initiating something new and is unconcerned with the Pharisees' approval.

Responding to Conflict and Criticism

In our world, conflict is constant, and negative opinions abound. This has been especially true in the past few years. The landscape seems colder and the trolls bolder. Doesn't it seem that there is a noticeable increase in negative communication?

The Reformation is a powerful historical example of adapting the message of the gospel. Martin Luther and other reformers did not change the core truths of Christianity, but they sought to make it more accessible and understandable to the people of their time. They translated the Bible into vernacular languages and used the printing press to distribute it widely. This adaptation brought the gospel to a new generation and significantly impacted the Christian faith.

I truly believe if we keep a passionate desire to see the gospel take hold in our culture, we can be Biblically accurate and socially effective. Holy Spirit love has a way of taking root even in the harshest of environments. And we can do it without compromise.

Here Are My Key Takeaways:

Patience: Trust that God's timing is perfect.

Presence: We must be found in the company of the culture.
Resist Enabling Negativity: Avoid participating in or encouraging whisper campaigns.
Steadiness: Stand firm and celebrate the gospel amidst storms.
Expand Your View of God: Embrace His timing and sovereignty.
Challenge the Status Quo: Be prepared to face opposition for your allegiance to Jesus.

Engaging the Next Generation

The teenage world faces numerous negative influences. Instead of blaming the youth, we should recognize our own responsibility and the impact of the current culture on everyone. 

Jim Elliot, offers a compelling example to this concept. Elliot and his team sought to bring the gospel to the Auca (now known as the Huaorani) people of Ecuador. Despite the risks and the cultural differences, Elliot and his companions approached the Aucas with respect and a desire to understand their culture. They used innovative methods to establish contact, such as dropping gifts from a plane. Tragically, Elliot and his fellow missionaries were killed by the very people they sought to reach. However, their legacy of sacrificial love and cultural sensitivity eventually led to the Auca people embracing Christianity. This story underscores the importance of engaging with cultural sensitivity and perseverance.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul, when preaching in Athens, connected with the culture by referencing their own poets and philosophers, making the gospel relatable and understandable. These examples remind us that while the message of the gospel remains unchanging, our methods can and should adapt to effectively reach our audience.

As Christ said, new wine (the truth) needs new wineskins (new structures)... it isn't just practical, it is essential!

Key Proposals:

Clearer Communication: Be specific about what constitutes appropriate behavior. Use Scripture to guide discussions.
Closer Relationships: Build trust and understanding with the youth. Take time to know their lives beyond superficial interactions.
Cautious Judgments: Apply consequences fairly, keeping context in mind. Offer the benefit of the doubt and address issues with patience.

I also recommend that we press the new generation participate in this process, we can mentor and guide without a fear of heresy... God's Word will self correct the errors. The Holy Spirit is living and active.

When young people start sharing the gospel, their own personal faith becomes a great adventure... it is exciting!

We Can Do This!

We must adapt our methods without compromising the gospel’s truth. The mode of salvation—faith in Jesus alone—remains unchanged, but our approach to reaching this generation must evolve. Clear terms, close relationships, and cautious judgments are essential.

Ultimately, the power of the gospel endures. Our goal is not to win arguments but to win souls, recognizing that this is a spiritual battle. Christ will be victorious, and our mission is to model His love and truth in a world that desperately needs both.