Knowing The Word in Luke 5:33-39

A Question About Fasting

5:33 And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” 36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

Comments

Apparently, the Pharisees considered Jesus’ disciples too cheerful! They want dour, fasting followers. However, the only requirement in the law for fasting was on the Day of Atonement. Like a bridegroom at a wedding, Jesus’ presence brings joy. That the bridegroom will be taken away references the cross. In the parable, Jesus explains how he is not simply patching up Judaism but creating something new. What he is doing will not be palatable to some. They will not want the new as they are content with the old. Jesus’ point: the Old and New Covenants will not work together.

Application

Do you celebrate as a Christian all the great things Jesus has already done for you? Christians are called to be celebratory, drawing people to their underlying joy in being in Christ.

Prayer

Father, let me be a joyful person today who attracts others to Jesus. Help me to celebrate all the good things he has already done for me, is doing for me, and will do for me.