Jesus Questioned About Fasting

Mark 2:18-22 (NIV)

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.

²¹ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. ²²And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

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According to some commentary I was reading regarding this passage, Jesus was not a fan of the ceremonial law that encouraged fasting on prescribed days. He would certainly fast during his lifetime, but not because the laws said so. His disciples were joyful and didn't NEED to fast because their savior was here! They equated fasting with pain and sorrow, and were experiencing none of that with Jesus in town. Therefore, like it would be inconceivable to sew a patch of unshrunk or brand new cloth onto an old garment, you wouldn't want to fast when you were happy.

We fast, or withhold things from ourselves during Lent today because it's a reminder of how indebted and dependent we are on God's saving grace and love. I think this hymn will help in looking at this passage.

THE GLORY OF THESE FORTY DAYS

The glory of these forty days
We celebrate with songs of praise;
For Christ, by Whom all things were made,
Himself has fasted and has prayed.

Alone and fasting Moses saw
The loving God Who gave the law;
And to Elijah, fasting, came
The steeds and chariots of flame.

So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
Delivered from the lions' might;
And John, the Bridegroom's friend, became
The herald of Messiah's Name.

Then grant us, Lord, like them to be
Full oft in fast and prayer with Thee;
Our spirits strengthen with Thy grace,
And give us joy to see Thy face.

O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,
To thee be every prayer addressed,
Who art in threefold Name adored,
From age to age, the only Lord.

Words Attributed to Gregory I, 6th century