Fasting. Something we all look forward to with great expectation.
We know that the Pharisees fasted two days a week. (Yes, you heard correctly - two days! And our righteousness should surpass that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law.) Fasting is a time that brings us closer to G-D by eliminating distractions such as food. We find out in these moments of suffering what we're made of. Who do we rely upon as our sustenance?
Yet Jesus and His disciples went through this season of not fasting, and Jesus uses three metaphors to explain why that was so. First, you always celebrate and feast when at a wedding. Second, you wouldn't sew an unshrunk cloth on an old garment because that would then cause more damage. Third, you don't pour new wine in old, cracked wineskins or they'll burst (because of fermentation).
By presenting these three metaphors, Jesus explains why it's almost comical that His disciples and He would fast at that time.
Two questions: why did He not fast and should we fast today? I have some thoughts. What do you think?
4 comments:
Yes of course we should fast. Thats the quick easy answer. I think your post described why Jesus' disciples were not fasting, they were with Him, they were with God.
Early you posted that "Fasting is a time that brings us closer to G-D by eliminating distractions such as food." With that logic, why would those next to Jesus fast?
Jesus tells us about fasting in Matthew 6. He doesn't say IF you fast, but WHEN you fast. So yes, we should fast.
So...how often?
Thats a good question, and I do want to hear your thoughts on this.
My first thought is that it should be often. If it is an avenue that we come closer to God, then it should be often.
I think this leads us more to a lifestyle change. Fasting is a means to get rid of distractions. We need simplicity to come close to God. So maybe living a life that is simple, or limited to some regard, that would be like a constant state of fasting. Maybe instead of fasting from food one day a week, and TV another, and internet another, we instead live a simplified life.
How would that not only improve relations with God, but also with family and friends around us?
The "how often" is not a good question. "Why" is much better
Isaiah 58 comes to mind, primarily verses 6-7
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