We all have customs and traditions. They provide a sense of familiarity and security. While religious customs should serve to help provide a reference point and framework that makes the intangible concept of God more tangible, we find reality and relevance through a personal relationship with God.
Jesus came to demonstrate this concept. One of the first things He did was demonstrate how traditions can cause people to view God in terms of rituals and dogma, not a real presence. He came to upgrade the mindset of mankind, and demonstrate that God desires to have a personal relationship with the people He created. In turning the water to wine He revealed the transformation of an old order; that the practice of relating to God through empty ritual would now change into a process of relating with God, bearing fruits of a much richer substance—eternal life.
RELEVANCE
Jesus revealed that old forms are not fit for new purposes. While there was value in old patterns, serving as a shadow of things to come, the nature of the patterns must be transformed into a new substance to be relevant. It requires a new perspective and a paradigm shift.
“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved“ (Matthew 9:16-17).
Jesus revealed that God would be releasing a new way of relating with Him through the infilling of the Holy Spirit—the source of the new life.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Ask God to reveal to you old forms of relating to Him. Ask Him to reveal what He wants to replace with new ways of relating with Him; and how you can do that.
REFERENCES
Acts 18:24-19:20