“He (Jesus) told them this parable: ‘No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wine skins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined.’” Luke 5:36-37 NIV
Jesus responds with this parable to the Pharisees and the teachers of the law after they questioned him regarding fasting and praying. They were comparing Jesus’ disciples who were witnessed to be eating and drinking to that of John’s disciples (and even to their own) who would often fast and pray.
Jesus’ response is so true and filled with so much wisdom. We need to remember that Jesus has recently called these men to follow him. As in any new job or position, there is a period of training. Just because someone has been ‘hired’ to fill a position, one cannot expect that they will immediately operate at maximum speed, capacity, or ability. Jesus knowing this, soon after calling them out of the world, would not immediately place upon them the strictness and plainness of discipleship, lest they be tempted to return to their previous ways.
Just as Christ would train up his new followers gradually for discipleship, we ought to do the same. For no person, having drank and acquiring the taste of old wine, will all of a sudden desire or even find fulfillment in the new; for they will likely say that the old is better because they are used to it.
Lock Your Wings 
This stood out for me: ““Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.””
Luke 5:5 NLT
But if you say so. Simon didn’t know what Jesus could do. Simon knew he had fished all night without success. If Simon had leaned on his own understanding (what he knew to be true) He would have never experienced the miracle of the fish. God seldom just gives us what we need but asks us to step out in faith (throw out the net, throw down and pick up the staff, step into the Red Sea, wash in the pool, build an ark, step into the King’s presence, pass out the loaves and fishes, buy the property 😏) to witness what God can do when we listen and trust to do what He says.
LikeLiked by 1 person