Luke 5:20-21, 24, 38-39 NIV “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’ ””

In Luke 5, Jesus shatters every religious category in the room.

A paralyzed man is lowered through a roof, desperate for healing. But Jesus aims deeper than his legs—He goes straight for the soul.
“Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

The Pharisees choke on their theology.
“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Exactly. Jesus is declaring what every man must face: He is God, and He alone holds authority to forgive sin.

And this authority launches something entirely new—the New Covenant, the new wine that only fits in new wineskins. It isn’t based on ethnicity, rituals, good works, or heritage. It’s not about trying harder, doing better, or proving yourself worthy.

The New Covenant is God’s contract with the world—paid for by the blood and body of Jesus. It offers forgiveness, cleansing, and transformation to all who repent, believe, and obey Him.

This is not religion.
This is relationship.
This is reconciliation with the living God.

But Jesus warns us: Many people still prefer the old wine. They cling to old systems of self-effort, self-righteousness, tradition, ritual, and cultural religion. They try to get to God on their own terms. They believe their good deeds will cancel out their sins. They think they don’t need forgiveness—just improvement.

But God is not religious. God is holy. One sin separates a man from Him forever. No amount of good works can fix that.

That’s why Jesus came—not to reward the “good,” but to rescue the guilty. The Old Covenant pointed to Him, but only the New Covenant saves. Only Jesus satisfies the justice of God. Only Jesus removes the stain of sin. Only Jesus makes a man new.

Religion keeps men far from God.
Repentance and faith bring men home to God.

If you want new life, new freedom, and new purpose—you need new wineskins. You need Jesus. You need to lay down the old life of self-effort and step into the New Covenant of grace, truth, and obedience.

Run Today’s Play: Stop trying to earn what Jesus already paid for. Embrace the New Covenant life.

• Reject self-effort: Stop acting like religion and rule-keeping can save you.

• Repent deeply: Turn from sin and pride—Jesus forgives fully, not partially.

• Believe boldly: Trust Jesus as the only one with authority to forgive your sins.

• Obey faithfully: New wineskins live new lives—follow Jesus wherever He leads.

• Walk in relationship: Spend time with Him, hear His voice, depend on His Spirit.

Brothers, the old way can’t hold the life Jesus offers.
The old is familiar—but the new is eternal.

Choose the new wine. Live the New Covenant. Follow the Savior who forgives, restores, and makes all things new.