Celebrate

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

CELEBRATE

Mark 2:18-20

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.

NIV

It would seem at first glance this might be a teaching on the benefit of fasting, but further examination reveals a far greater truth. From a cultural and historical view the Pharisees were accustomed to fasting twice a week and also during special times of the year. The law was in full force, the teachers of the law were completely in control of the people and all was well, except here is Jesus and his disciples not going alone with the program. It is noted this day when Jesus and his disciple were chowing down at the house of Levi, it was one of those days people were supposed to fast and some people were asking what is up with that. Are we supposed to being fasting because our bridegroom has been taken from us? Is that why we continue with this law of fasting? Is not Jesus still our bridegroom? Are we not the bride of Christ? Why do we say we have Jesus in our heart if he is not with us? Sure in the physical sense he is no longer walking on earth, but is at the right hand of the Father, that is when is not preparing a place for us, so that where he is we will be also. It is supposed that Jesus was justifying his disciples from the fasting law, because he was there with them and that when he ascends into to heaven they will then start to fast again, because he is no longer there, the wedding feast will have been over. But can we say that Jesus has been taken from us? Can we be sad and filled with gloom because Jesus is no longer with us? This sounds so odd, in light of the fact he said that he would be with us even unto the end. Maybe there are other reasons to fast, maybe there isn’t, but this is not one of them. We should be rejoicing, filled with total delight because Jesus is with us always. This is no reason to fast, to without anything, to restrain ourselves from the enjoyment of the married feast. We are the bride of Christ and we should be filled with joy and dance in our spirits, celebrating to the fullest. Too many believing walk around looking as if they are in the middle of a year-long fast, slumped over, with a lowered continence, sad and without joy as if they do not have Jesus. But Praise God we do have Jesus, and we are his bride, and we will have another physical wedding feast someday, but for now we are in the middle of a spiritual love feast. Let us raise our glass and toast to our groom. Let us raise our voice and praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Let us be glad and if we are glad let our faces show it. Celebrate!