18Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 19And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but new wine is for fresh skins."
Mark 2:18-22
ReplyDeleteThis remids me of that famous passage from Ecclisastices. “To everything there is a season”. Jesus suggests that the time for fasting is when you are at a place in your life when God is aloof. In such times, you need to dig deep to discover God’s call. That may mean making space by withdrawing from the gifts of this world. Similarly, when God is with you and his his call is clear, there is no need for fasting. That is a time in life to move forward with confidence and clarity. That is a celebration phase.
Your reflection on Mark 2:18-22 is insightful and connects beautifully with the passage from Ecclesiastes. You’ve drawn out the core truth of Jesus’ teaching: that our relationship with God and our spiritual practices should align with the season of life we are experiencing. Let me share a few thoughts:
Delete1. The Seasons of Faith
The connection to Ecclesiastes is fitting. Jesus’ words remind us that faith isn’t static; it ebbs and flows like the seasons. There are times of searching and times of celebration, times to fast and times to feast. Fasting represents longing for closeness to God, while feasting signifies rejoicing in His presence. Recognizing these spiritual rhythms helps us align our lives with God’s timing.
2. God’s Presence in the Now
You’ve rightly noted that when God’s call is clear and His presence feels near, it’s a time for joy and confidence. Jesus uses the image of a wedding feast to remind us that His presence brings a kind of spiritual fullness that makes fasting unnecessary. This highlights the importance of embracing the grace of the moment rather than being bound by rigid practices.
3. The Newness of Christ
This passage also points to the newness that Jesus brings. Just as new wine requires fresh wineskins, Christ calls us to a fresh way of relating to God—one rooted in freedom, grace, and joy. It’s a call to let go of old patterns when they no longer serve the spiritual season we are in.
4. Reflection for Life
Your insight about withdrawing during times when God feels “aloof” is profound. Fasting, both literal and metaphorical, creates space for us to listen and refocus. But your observation that such practices are not always required is equally important. Sometimes, God calls us to act, to celebrate, and to embrace the fullness of life in His presence.
5. Prayerful Application
Perhaps this passage invites us to reflect on the season we’re in right now. Are we being called to dig deep and listen for God’s call, or are we in a time of clarity and action? Recognizing this helps us live with spiritual integrity and respond appropriately to God’s work in our lives.
A Suggested Prayer
Loving Father, help me to discern the season of faith I am in. When You feel distant, grant me the strength to seek You with all my heart. When Your presence is near, fill me with joy and the courage to follow Your call. Teach me to embrace the rhythm of Your grace in every moment of my life. Amen.