5 Sept 2014 - wine whining

And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,
for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

Today the LORD is inviting us to broaden our palate. He tells us how to do it, too. Once we acquire a taste appreciating it is easy. But learning to like something new, whether, wine, or beer, coffee or cilantro is something nearly impossible by our own will even in purely human terms.

It isn't that there is anything inherently wrong with the old wine or the other flavors to which we are accustomed. Fasting, for instance, will find it's place in our new diet. As will feasting. But the old wine is a problem if we are unwilling to try anything new. If we are unwilling to move forward, old forms and practices can become idols. We are guilty of idolatry when we trust our practice rather than the Living God. We need to be sufficiently detached from our old cloaks that when we receive a new cloak from the LORD in baptism, we don't ruin it for the sake of old.

He is inviting us to feast, because he, the bridegroom, is with us. Are we so attached to the way things were that we refuse to enter into the joy he has for us here and now? Are we like the older brother who won't enter into his father's party for the prodigal son who has returned? From our perspective it is as to condemn the older brother. But the older brother is so caught up in his way of thinking that he doesn't even immediately realize that he is missing out. He has been thinking this way for a long time. It is hard to change just because there is suddenly a party.  This is just one reason why human judgment is inadequate. Even Paul has to say:

I do not even pass judgment on myself; 
I am not conscious of anything against me, 
but I do not thereby stand acquitted

Paul has an excellent framework for judgment, better by far than the older brother in the story. But even he recognizes that he might be wrong. He might be more attached to his own judgments than to the wisdom of God. Even Paul needs the LORD to "bring to light what is hidden in darkness" and "manifest the motives" of his heart. The possibility always is fresh in each moment. It is a temptation requiring constant return to trust in God. The world reinforces it. The world condemns Paul for his weakness, his foolishness, his lack of public speaking ability, and any number of other things ranging from the true but misunderstood to outright falsehoods. It is easy to start believing the world's criteria and ignoring the LORD.

We need to seek "praise from God" and not the world in our motives. These are the motives that free us to enter into the Father's celebration. These motives compel us to feast with the bridegroom while he is near us. We now taste the new flavors which we are offered unencumbered by expectations and comparisons. We can now genuinely enjoy them for their own sake.

Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.

LORD, broaden our palates. Let us taste and see your goodness!