Mark 2:18-19

Passage

The Pharisees were fasting.  The disciples of John the Baptizer were fasting.  However, Jesus’ disciples were not fasting.  Some people began to ask Jesus why it is that His own disciples aren’t fasting.  Jesus replied that nobody asks the wedding guests to fast when the bridegroom is with them.  So long as the person of honor is present, there is no need to fast. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Fasting is indeed a Biblical thing.  A fast is a time when we remove something in our life for a time.  Commonly the thing removed is food, but it can be an activity, sensory input, or habit.  The fast is done to remind us what control things have over us and what influence things have over us.  Fasts are also done to remind us to be mindful of our relationship with God and to draw us closer to Him.  We know from elsewhere in the Bible that Jesus approves of fasting.  Thus, we can say that the issue in this story isn’t with fasting.  Jesus and God absolutely approve of fasting under the right spiritual conditions.

Have you ever fasted?  For what reason?  Why do you think fasting can have an important impact upon a person?

Second Thought:

Jesus’ disciples weren’t fasting when everyone else does.  I don’t know why – and you’re going to have to cut me some slack today – but this story reminds me of a “demotivational poster” I once saw.  It was a picture of the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.  There is a host of bulls charging down the street.  A single man stands in their way.  The poster reads, “Tradition: Just because it’s always been done this way doesn’t meant it’s not incredibly stupid.”  You’ll have to forgive me, because I don’t mean to imply that Jesus thinks fasting is stupid.  My first point above speaks to the opposite point, actually.  But I do think that this story does illustrate a similarity between Jesus and the demotivational poster.  Just because everyone else is doing something for a particular reason doesn’t mean that everyone has to do it that way.  Nor does it mean that the reason is right!  Jesus’ disciples are doing something completely different from everyone else and that’s okay.  It is perfectly okay for people who are following Jesus to be completely different – perhaps even countercultural – from the world!

What is the benefit to tradition?  When is tradition a great and incredible thing?  When does it make sense to be willing to put tradition aside?  Is it easy or hard to be different?

Third Thought:

As I say above, people usually fast to help them draw closer to God.  However, the disciples were literally with God.  There is no getting closer to God than to be in the actual physical presence of Jesus.  Thus, it makes sense that Jesus’ disciples did not fast at this time.  They had God in their midst!

How close are you to God?  When do you feel the most close to God?  When do you feel the furthest from God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 2:20-22