Was Jesus merely a prophet or teacher? The author of Colossians tells us that he is much more: he as the image of the unseen God and the fullness of divinity dwelt in him. But that is not all: the whole world and all of creation were reconciled in him. These are extraordinary claims, and if they are true, as Christians believe, then the world can never be the same. Human nature wants everything to go on as before - business as usual. But Christ challenges us to think in new ways - to see the world and its people as one and not to divide, exclude, or despise any part of it. God has no enemies nor does God despise anyone and neither should we.

Jesus challenges those who are questioning him to think in new ways. They want to know why Jesus doesn't behave in a normal and traditional religious manner. His reply goes right to the point: why fast when God is in your midst? You only fast when you long for the Beloved who is far away. What do wineskins mean to us? Pouring new wine into old, ragged, worn-out wineskins is useless. They can't hold it - they break and the wine is wasted. One needs new wineskins capable of holding the new wine. This symbolizes ways of religious thinking or spiritual awareness. We need new ways of thinking - bigger minds and hearts - if we are to truly understand and experience God.