DAY TEN
Matthew 9:14-15 14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Jesus speaks of two reasons for His disciples not to fast at that particular time:
1. It was not time
Jesus knew the practice of fasting very well. John and his followers had routinely practiced it already. The Pharisees had hoped Jesus would either say John’s disciples were at fault or Jesus’ disciples were at fault. Jesus did neither.
We are tempted to blame others when the light of scrutiny is shining in our direction. However, that is not the time to point our finger at another but merely to stand on our own merits of truth during the inevitable critique.
Notice how Jesus uses the illustration of a marriage. (Of course, a wedding is a time of happiness and joy, not a time of sorrow or sadness)
- Jesus’ disciples were the children of the bride chamber, who were invited to the wedding feast. The Pharisees were considered to be children of the bond-woman who were not invited.
- We are like the children of the bride chamber – for we have the spirit of adoption and can celebrate continually. Those in the world, who have not received Christ, carry the spirit of bondage and fear and cannot rejoice.
- Jesus’ disciples had the bridegroom with them – John’s disciples did not. John was in prison and in danger of death – that’s why they were more so in a fasting mode.
- Jesus knew that one day His disciples would be fasting as He would be taken from them and no more would they be able to hold Him in their arms. This would definitely grieve their hearts and cause much sadness.
2. They were not ready
Jesus uses the illustrations of a new cloth being put on an old garment, which stretches the old pieces; the other is putting new wine into old bottles.
Remember, the disciples of Jesus were new this “ministry thing”. They weren’t trained in the schools of the prophets or the academies of religious scholars. The majority of them were farmers and fishermen who were not used to the rigorous disciplines of spiritual exercises.
- Jesus’ disciples were, if you will, infants to these rituals and requirements. Some of the duties of religion were harder than others, like new cloth and new wine.
- We too, are considered babes in Christ who must be nurtured and trained in the right way for proper growth to take place.
- Our food, work and exercises must be tempered to our age and maturity levels. When we train the next generation, we must be mindful of what they are actually able to bear. The hardest duties must be reserved for a latter time, lest the young believer is discouraged.
- Being mindful of this will help prevent the bottles from breaking and the wine being spilled. Let us side with caution to not be “over doing” when we’re “well doing.”
