The Parable of the Wineskins

This week on Cultivate, we explored questions about fasting through the parable of the wineskins in Matthew 9. Charlie Loften and Abigail Boone unpacked why Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast like the Pharisees or John the Baptist’s followers, and what Jesus meant when He described Himself as the bridegroom. Together, we dug into Jesus’ teaching about new wine and old wineskins—how He invited people into a relationship with God rooted in grace, not rigid rule-following. We discussed how Jesus’ presence transformed spiritual practices, showing that closeness to Him is what truly matters, not just routine or tradition. This conversation helped us consider how we might be holding onto old ways of thinking about faith, and how Jesus calls us to new life and a new way of connecting with God. If you’ve ever wondered about the purpose of spiritual disciplines or how faith can look different than you expect, this episode is for you. Engage further by reflecting on how Jesus may be inviting you into something new this week.