“Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Mark 2:18
The Old Testament specified one day in the year when God called His people to fast—the Day of Atonement. But the Pharisees had made fasting part of their regular routine. According to tradition, they fasted Mondays and Thursdays, and encouraged others to do the same.
So, the question to Jesus is: Why aren’t your disciples fasting? Jesus answered, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” (2:19). Imagine fasting at a wedding!
Picture the scene… The wedding service is over, and everyone is gathered at the banquet hall. All the guests are seated at fancy tables, and everyone settles in as the father of the bride stands up to speak. To everyone’s surprise, he looks miserable.
“I’m glad you are all here today on this very important occasion. I expect some of you have been looking forward to a meal, but we aren’t going to have any food today. We’re not going to have any music, and we’re not going to have any dancing.
“Marriage is a serious business, and we ought to take it seriously! We all fail in many ways, and so today I want us to spend some time in silence. I want us to examine our hearts. I want you to remember my daughter’s wedding as a day of repentance.”
We laugh because this is ridiculous. The whole point of a wedding is that it is a celebration. And Jesus breaks the power of false religion by bringing joy to His friends. If your Christian practice has not brought you into greater joy, you have not yet experienced Jesus Christ.
Ask Jesus to bring you into a greater experience of joy.
