Our paragraph topic is: (The question of fasting) Part 1.
In the previous verses Christ gave instructions to the Pharisees, telling them to learn about mercy. Now he gives instructions to the disciples of John the Baptist. John's disciples come to Christ asking about fasting. Christ has broken tradition. He has brought about change in the old way of doing things. He has given understanding to old laws and rules. Now, he gives John's disciples details explaining why his disciples are different.
John's disciples ask why they and the Pharisees fast when the disciples of Christ do not fast. The rule of fasting has been a rule handed down for many generations. Christ asks them a question, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?" This question brings up a kind of dilemma. The question they asked concerned the rules of fasting and Christ answered them with a question about a bridegroom. How do the two questions relate? Christ does not say, "They do not fast because...." Instead he challenges them to see the reason for themselves. He tells them about the bridegroom and mourning. He tells them that now is not the time to mourn but to celebrate. He implies that now is the time to rejoice and to be glad, because the bridegroom is in their midst. He gives them a reason to know for themselves why his disciples do not fast.
John's disciple did not understand. They see Christ as a teacher. They see him as a great Rabbi. They see him as a prophet. They do not see him as the Son of God. This is why they ask the question of fasting. This is why they compare themselves with the Pharisees as following the rules of fasting. This is why they are fasting and questioning why the disciples of Christ do not fast. They do not understand the reason for joy. They do not understand the reason for celebration. They do not understand the reason for happiness. They may not have understood the reasoning of Christ's answer concerning the bridegroom.
Christ's answer indicates a wedding. Christ's answer indicates a marriage about to happen. Christ's answer indicates a a union about to take place. Christ's answer indicates a feast taking place. Christ's answer indicates a time for celebration. John's disciple question indicated a time for mourning. The question asked by John's disciple indicated a time for sorrow. The question asked by John's disciple indicated that they did not know who was in their midst.
Christ tells them that a time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and then they will fast. And Christ was taken away from them and crucified on the cross. Christ was taken away from them and buried in the tomb. Christ was given back to them when he arose from the dead. And Christ is with us today when he ascended into heaven. Are we like John's disciples who mourn and fast in the presence of God? Why do we not rejoice when our loved ones go to the wedding feast to meet the bridegroom?
In the previous verses Christ gave instructions to the Pharisees, telling them to learn about mercy. Now he gives instructions to the disciples of John the Baptist. John's disciples come to Christ asking about fasting. Christ has broken tradition. He has brought about change in the old way of doing things. He has given understanding to old laws and rules. Now, he gives John's disciples details explaining why his disciples are different.
John's disciples ask why they and the Pharisees fast when the disciples of Christ do not fast. The rule of fasting has been a rule handed down for many generations. Christ asks them a question, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?" This question brings up a kind of dilemma. The question they asked concerned the rules of fasting and Christ answered them with a question about a bridegroom. How do the two questions relate? Christ does not say, "They do not fast because...." Instead he challenges them to see the reason for themselves. He tells them about the bridegroom and mourning. He tells them that now is not the time to mourn but to celebrate. He implies that now is the time to rejoice and to be glad, because the bridegroom is in their midst. He gives them a reason to know for themselves why his disciples do not fast.
John's disciple did not understand. They see Christ as a teacher. They see him as a great Rabbi. They see him as a prophet. They do not see him as the Son of God. This is why they ask the question of fasting. This is why they compare themselves with the Pharisees as following the rules of fasting. This is why they are fasting and questioning why the disciples of Christ do not fast. They do not understand the reason for joy. They do not understand the reason for celebration. They do not understand the reason for happiness. They may not have understood the reasoning of Christ's answer concerning the bridegroom.
Christ's answer indicates a wedding. Christ's answer indicates a marriage about to happen. Christ's answer indicates a a union about to take place. Christ's answer indicates a feast taking place. Christ's answer indicates a time for celebration. John's disciple question indicated a time for mourning. The question asked by John's disciple indicated a time for sorrow. The question asked by John's disciple indicated that they did not know who was in their midst.
Christ tells them that a time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and then they will fast. And Christ was taken away from them and crucified on the cross. Christ was taken away from them and buried in the tomb. Christ was given back to them when he arose from the dead. And Christ is with us today when he ascended into heaven. Are we like John's disciples who mourn and fast in the presence of God? Why do we not rejoice when our loved ones go to the wedding feast to meet the bridegroom?
