Jesus Questioned About Fasting
Mark 2
18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?”
19 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.
21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”
Part of this discussion about fasting is really not necessarily about fasting. In this particular part of Jesus and the disciples' ministry, fasting had become part of the ceremonial law. Jesus had done several things that were out of the customary or the "norm" according to the law. He had healed on the Sabbath, eaten with sinners and publicans, and forfeited the washing of hands calling it "traditions of men". Now, he was outwardly discouraging his disciples to fast as John's disciples and the rest of the people who acknowledged the laws of the Pharisees. The 12 Disciples were not yet burdened with "religion". Rather Jesus was trying to teach them about the necessity and significance of spirituality and relationship.
As the narrative continues, Jesus begins to speak in a parable, citing the distinctions between the things that are old and the things that are new. As Jesus explained, there was no need to fast when the bridegroom was with the disciples - walking with them, teaching them, and praying with them and for them. It reminds us that fellowshiping with God and being in his presence are not about submitting to rituals and laws as much as it is about seeking to be in a new frame of mind, walking in a new manner, and doing away with old ways of worshiping. We fast to get spiritual clarity, to draw closer to God, to strengthen our prayer life, to express repentance, to submit to the Master, and to seek something new...something fresh.
But don't miss that in this example Jesus sets HIS disciples apart from the rest. They did not have to do what others did because they had something...someone...that the others did not have - HIM. When we are set apart, when we are walking with the Savior - we can't...we shouldn't...do what everybody else does. And we don't need to...
Part of this discussion about fasting is really not necessarily about fasting. In this particular part of Jesus and the disciples' ministry, fasting had become part of the ceremonial law. Jesus had done several things that were out of the customary or the "norm" according to the law. He had healed on the Sabbath, eaten with sinners and publicans, and forfeited the washing of hands calling it "traditions of men". Now, he was outwardly discouraging his disciples to fast as John's disciples and the rest of the people who acknowledged the laws of the Pharisees. The 12 Disciples were not yet burdened with "religion". Rather Jesus was trying to teach them about the necessity and significance of spirituality and relationship.
As the narrative continues, Jesus begins to speak in a parable, citing the distinctions between the things that are old and the things that are new. As Jesus explained, there was no need to fast when the bridegroom was with the disciples - walking with them, teaching them, and praying with them and for them. It reminds us that fellowshiping with God and being in his presence are not about submitting to rituals and laws as much as it is about seeking to be in a new frame of mind, walking in a new manner, and doing away with old ways of worshiping. We fast to get spiritual clarity, to draw closer to God, to strengthen our prayer life, to express repentance, to submit to the Master, and to seek something new...something fresh.
But don't miss that in this example Jesus sets HIS disciples apart from the rest. They did not have to do what others did because they had something...someone...that the others did not have - HIM. When we are set apart, when we are walking with the Savior - we can't...we shouldn't...do what everybody else does. And we don't need to...
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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