Jesus didn’t come to earth to merely refine old religious traditions—He came to bring something entirely new. He wasn’t looking to put a patch on a worn-out system. Instead, He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the law and bringing us into a direct relationship with God.
Many of us struggle with the idea that we must “fix ourselves” before coming to Jesus. But He isn’t waiting for you to perfect your life—He’s inviting you to follow Him as you are. Healing, rest, and peace are found at the cross, not in our efforts to earn them.
In a conversation with the Pharisees, Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” This wasn’t just a passing reference; it was a call to a deeper understanding of God’s heart.
Hosea’s Story: A Picture of God’s Faithfulness
To fully grasp what Jesus was saying, we need to look at the prophet Hosea. Hosea lived in a time when Israel was at its most unfaithful, both spiritually and morally. God gave Hosea a shocking command—marry a prostitute named Gomer. Even though she was unfaithful to him, Hosea was told to buy her back, demonstrating God’s unwavering faithfulness to His people despite their repeated failures.
This story isn’t just about ancient Israel—it’s about us. No matter how far we stray, God remains faithful. Jesus was pointing this out to the religious leaders of His day: while they judged sinners, they had forgotten that they, too, had been shown mercy over and over again.
The Pharisees’ Misunderstanding: Fasting for the Wrong Reasons
The Pharisees, known for their strict religious practices, often took things to extremes. They were required by Mosaic law to fast one day a year, on the Day of Atonement. But over time, they expanded this practice—fasting weekly and making sure everyone knew about it. They would cover their faces in ash, look miserable, and parade their devotion publicly.
Jesus confronted this false righteousness. When questioned about why His disciples weren’t fasting, He answered with a metaphor: “Can the wedding guests mourn while the groom is with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away, and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15)
Jesus was saying that fasting is meant to bring people closer to God. But His disciples were already in the presence of God—they were with Him! The time for fasting would come after His departure, but for now, they were celebrating.
New Wine in New Wineskins: The Fulfillment of God’s Plan
Jesus followed up with another powerful metaphor:
“No one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:17)
In ancient times, wine was stored in animal skins. As new wine fermented, it expanded, stretching the wineskin. If an old, brittle wineskin was used, it would burst under the pressure.
The message was clear: Jesus didn’t come to patch up an old religious system. He was bringing something new. The traditions of the Pharisees, built on rules and rituals, couldn’t contain the new life He was offering. His sacrifice on the cross would fulfill the law, making the old sacrificial system obsolete.
Jesus: The Perfect Sacrifice
Before Jesus, people had to offer animals as sacrifices for their sins. But these sacrifices were temporary. They had to be repeated over and over again because they could never truly cleanse a person from sin.
Then Jesus came.
Instead of patching up an old system, He became the perfect sacrifice. “For while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) He took upon Himself the punishment we deserved, paying for our sins once and for all.
This was a radical shift. No longer would people need to perform religious rituals to be made right with God. Jesus was establishing a new covenant—one based on grace, not works.
Why This Matters Today
- God Wants Your Heart, Not Empty Rituals
Jesus’ words—“I desire mercy, not sacrifice”—are just as relevant today. Many people think Christianity is about following rules, attending church, or checking off religious boxes. But God isn’t after external rituals—He wants a transformed heart. - You Don’t Have to Earn His Love
Just as Hosea bought back Gomer despite her unfaithfulness, God has pursued you. You don’t have to clean yourself up before coming to Him. He invites you as you are. - Jesus Is the Fulfillment of Everything We Need
The religious leaders clung to traditions that could never save them. But Jesus offers a new covenant—one based on grace, not works. - Following Jesus Is About Transformation, Not Just Behavior Modification
Some people see faith as self-improvement, like adding a religious routine to their life. But Jesus didn’t come to tweak our habits—He came to transform our hearts. He doesn’t just want us to act better; He wants to change us from the inside out. - The New Covenant Calls Us to Live in Grace, Not Legalism
Legalism happens when we try to earn God’s approval by following rules. The Pharisees fell into this trap, and many people still do today. But Jesus set us free from religious striving. The question is no longer “Am I good enough?” but “Do I trust in Jesus?” - When You Trust Jesus, You Step Into a New Way of Living
Jesus’ teaching about new wine in new wineskins wasn’t just about religion—it was about life itself. When we trust Him, we let go of our old ways and embrace the new life He offers. This means surrendering control, trusting Him with our future, and allowing Him to change us.
An Invitation to Something New
Jesus came to replace religion with relationship. He isn’t interested in patching up broken systems; He’s inviting you into something entirely new.
Are you ready to stop trying to fix yourself and start following Him?
- The Purpose of Jesus - April 29, 2025
- Desperate for Jesus - April 9, 2025
- He Must Increase - March 11, 2025