Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.

Matthew 9:16-17 NLT 

Jesus is asked about why his disciples don't follow all the rules, and the first part of his answer points the questioners to him, to Jesus, as the person who the rules were really all about. Don't be so worried about being righteous for God, because God is right here in front of you. 

And this part of his answer seems to be saying that the old rules aren't going to be enough any more. 

In this world of oppression, violence, power struggles, ethnic and religious division and hatred, we need some new rules. 

And Jesus embodies that. 

He says to "follow me" on a path that might mean carrying a cross, giving way, slowing down, becoming small, waiting, healing, blessing, loving, giving, seeing our neighbour, seeing who they are and what they need, stepping towards, offering life, wanting restoration, planting hope.

The old rules can't handle that, they'll tear and burst. 

Even as our hearts ache over war, disaster, loss, death itself, may we in some way follow Jesus and love anyway, restore anyway, hope anyway.

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