Thoughts for the Day

The Question about Fasting

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, ‘Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding-guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I must admit I don't like to fast (and as a diabetic I can't), but I admire those who fast for their faith. So what do we mean by 'fasting' and why do it? As Christians fasting means we give up food, which is so important to us, in order to express our greater need for something else, in this case, for God and his work in our lives. Fasting should not be for the sake of impressing others and nowhere in the New Testament is it a command, though there are indications that it continued and Jesus expected it to happen (Matthew 6.16-18).

Today's incident in Mark's Gospel is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, it once again underlines his attitude to the Law of Moses. He is not saying that his disciples should abandoned all the rules and rituals they have been brought up with, but they need to be done for the right reason. These fasts were voluntary actions taken by strict Pharisees, not legal obligations. For many Pharisees it has become a visible badge of office rather than a loving commitment between them and God.

Those who come and ask this question of Jesus obviously expect this new teacher to be insisting on more rigour for his disciples' behaviour, but Jesus answers them with a parable that is chilling in its prophecy. Jewish leaders argued that it was more important to celebrate the joy of a wedding, than observe religious rituals during the week-long celebrations of such an event. But Jesus says effectively that as the Messiah he is like a bridegroom to his people, and they should simply enjoy his presence while he is here. There would be enough time for fasting when he had left them. Even in the earliest days of his three year long ministry we see Jesus warning his followers he will not be with them for long - his death is already coming closer!

Today, fasting is one way of expressing our longing for Jesus Christ, our King, to return and bring in the completion of His Kingdom.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we worship You each day,
finding time for You in our busy schedules,
as well as ways of expressing our longing
for Your involvement in our life
and in the coming of Your Kingdom.
Help us to reaffirm our commitment to You
this day and in the days to come.
Amen.