Day 12 - Matthew 9:15

A Fasted Journey for Spiritual Renewal

Day 12

“And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” -Matthew 9:15

This exchange between Jesus, some followers of John the Baptist and some Pharisees is also found in Mark and Luke. It comes early in all those Gospels and clearly is an important period for all three of these authors to have documented it. This exchange occurs shortly after Matthew, or Levi, is called by Jesus to follow him.

As I persist into this fast, it is especially striking to me. Jesus is referring to himself when he says, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Those who lived during Jesus’s time on earth ought to have been filled with joy! There was no reason to fast since “the bridegroom” was right there with them. Yet, as we see far too often in today’s age as well, so many are so blind, or too wrapped up with religious tradition or dictates that they fail to see the plain truth of Christ in their lives. We know that at least was also true of the vast majority of the Pharisees as discussed in other posts before like Eli, Eli, Lema Sabachthani.

Christ is gone now. He will return, but the bridegroom was taken away. This aspect of the sorrow filled and intense prayer connection that is enjoined to fasting is now again a relevant factor. I again find myself a bit miffed at the lack of reference to such aspects of our worship in Christianity today. I do also wonder how much of it has to do with the relative ease and comfort we have had with religious freedom in the west over the last few centuries. I am grateful for this time of fasting that I have embarked on but am also curious what it will lead to and how it will be part of my walk with Christ going forward.

I’m going to mail it in a little bit here and just put what my Bible commentary says for verses 10-17 as it offers better insight into this important passage than I can on my own.

“After Matthew began to follow the Lord, he held a dinner at his house. Since he had invited many of his associated to this dinner, many tax collectors and “sinners” were present. Perhaps this was to introduce them to the Savior. The Jews hated tax collectors, for they collected money to support the Romans, and tax collectors often took in more than necessary and pocketed the difference. Thus the Pharisees, who would never eat with such people, asked Jesus’s disciples why he was eating with them. The Lord’s response demonstrated that His ministry is directed toward those who realize they have a need: Only sick people need a doctor. The Pharisees did not think they were sinners (sick) so they would never have sought out the Lord (the Physician). The Pharisees always brought the proper sacrifices, but they were totally lacking in compassion toward sinners. When mercy is lacking, then religious formalities are meaningless.

“Not only did the Pharisees question Jesus’s participation in this feast with tax collectors and “sinners,” but disciples of John the Baptist also came and asked Jesus a question about taking part in such feasts. It was right for John and his disciples to fast, for they were calling people to repentance and to the coming kingdom. But John’s disciples asked why Jesus’s men were not fasting too.

“Jesus answered that the kingdom is like a great feast, in this case a wedding banquet. Since the King was now present, it was inappropriate for Him or His disciples to fast. At a wedding, people are happy and are eating, not mourning or fasting. Jesus did, however, anticipate His rejection for he He added that a time would come when the bridegroom would be taken away.

“Then He pictured the relationship between His ministry and that of John the Baptist. John was a reformer seeking to bring about repentance among those steeped in the traditions of Judaism. Jesus, however, was not out to patch up an old system, like sewing a new unshrunk cloth on an old garment, which would then tear, or pouring new wine into old wineskins, which would then burst. His purpose was to bring in something new. He had come to lead a group out of Judaism into the kingdom based on Him and His righteousness. True righteousness is not built on the Law or on Pharisaic traditions.”

So many are like the Pharisees. Just wrapped up in their own ways and ideas about their own righteousness, failing to realize that “none is righteous, no, not one” and that we are only made righteous because of God sacrificing His only son, Jesus, on the cross so that we could have all of our own unrighteousness atoned for. We must entreat one another to not fall into the hubris trap in thinking that we are good enough. We are not. None is righteous, no, not one.

We must also avoid idolatry of men. Hopefully Donald Trump has, or will, learn the error of his hubris with comments like this before it is too late. Hopefully many people who think this way will.

I am not a medical professional. This journal is about my spiritual path and about that which the Lord has placed on me. This is not medical advice, nor was this fast done for any medical purpose. If you have a medical interest, seek medical advice. If you have particular health concerns, seek medical advice and/or conduct your own research. Any fasting advice, effects, realizations or anything else related to my fast come from my personal reflection and experience. If you are considering fasting, consulting with a healthcare provider may be appropriate for you.