The Grooms Attendants
Matt 9:14-15. Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Mark 2:18-20. John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. "But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Luke 5:33-35. And they said to Him, "The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink." And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? "But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."
This parable requires a little historical background in order to fully understand it. There were only 3 days of the year where it was REQUIRED (scripturally) to fast. However, the Pharisees, and other strict Jewish sects, had evolved over time the requirement of fasting twice a week (apparently on the second and fifth days of the week). This parable takes place at a feast provided by Levi (Matthew) after he was called by Jesus to follow Him. This feast, quite probably, was happening on one of those fasting days. The followers of John the Baptist could have been fasting as a result of John being in prison. It is also possible that they, too, observed the strict schedule of fasting days.
But what I find of interest is this: two opposing sides (Pharisees and disciples of John) have come together to criticize Jesus and His followers. Even though John pointed to Jesus as “the lamb of God”, the disciples of John may very well have lost their spiritual direction without their leader present. They both come together to ask Jesus why He and His disciples are not fasting when they should be.
Jesus counters with the statement that it is impossible to fast so long as the attendants (His disciples) are in the presence of the bridegroom (Jesus Himself). This would probably have particularly stung the disciples of John as he had described Jesus in just those terms prior to his arrest (John 3:29), but it also describes how the mourning and sadness associated with fasting just simply should not apply while in the presence of Christ. The imagery of a bridegroom with his attendants is that of a happy wedding feast, and it also identifies Jesus with the bridegroom allegory often used in the old testament (see Hosea 2:19-21 for an example).
Jesus also foreshadows His crucifixion, though, when He indicates that the day will come when the bridegroom (Jesus) will be taken away from them. In that day, the attendants (followers of Jesus) will fast. That fasting could take on many different meanings. It could mean a physical fast, where His followers fast in mourning of His death. It could mean a spiritual fast, where His followers are lost without Him.
Every fast, though, comes to an end eventually.
Jesus rises from the grave! The fast (physically or spiritually) comes to an end! His followers are once again able to partake in the glory of His presence. We, too, are able to partake in the glory of His presence. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, takes residence in our hearts when we accept the gospel of salvation (John 14:23). We can know a true personal relationship with Jesus Christ and not have to endure another day of fasting in a world of spiritual darkness.
We will often see “two opposing sides” come together to oppose Jesus – sort of along the lines of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. We are not to worry about coming up with our own answers to their criticisms. God has supplied us with all the information we need through the scripture of the Holy Bible.
Perhaps more importantly, we should remember that those who oppose Jesus are experiencing a spiritual “fasting” that they don’t even realize. We should try to do our best to show them that they do not need to be starving for the truth when they can sit at the banquet table right next to us.
Mark 2:18-20. John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. "But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Luke 5:33-35. And they said to Him, "The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink." And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? "But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."
This parable requires a little historical background in order to fully understand it. There were only 3 days of the year where it was REQUIRED (scripturally) to fast. However, the Pharisees, and other strict Jewish sects, had evolved over time the requirement of fasting twice a week (apparently on the second and fifth days of the week). This parable takes place at a feast provided by Levi (Matthew) after he was called by Jesus to follow Him. This feast, quite probably, was happening on one of those fasting days. The followers of John the Baptist could have been fasting as a result of John being in prison. It is also possible that they, too, observed the strict schedule of fasting days.
But what I find of interest is this: two opposing sides (Pharisees and disciples of John) have come together to criticize Jesus and His followers. Even though John pointed to Jesus as “the lamb of God”, the disciples of John may very well have lost their spiritual direction without their leader present. They both come together to ask Jesus why He and His disciples are not fasting when they should be.
Jesus counters with the statement that it is impossible to fast so long as the attendants (His disciples) are in the presence of the bridegroom (Jesus Himself). This would probably have particularly stung the disciples of John as he had described Jesus in just those terms prior to his arrest (John 3:29), but it also describes how the mourning and sadness associated with fasting just simply should not apply while in the presence of Christ. The imagery of a bridegroom with his attendants is that of a happy wedding feast, and it also identifies Jesus with the bridegroom allegory often used in the old testament (see Hosea 2:19-21 for an example).
Jesus also foreshadows His crucifixion, though, when He indicates that the day will come when the bridegroom (Jesus) will be taken away from them. In that day, the attendants (followers of Jesus) will fast. That fasting could take on many different meanings. It could mean a physical fast, where His followers fast in mourning of His death. It could mean a spiritual fast, where His followers are lost without Him.
Every fast, though, comes to an end eventually.
Jesus rises from the grave! The fast (physically or spiritually) comes to an end! His followers are once again able to partake in the glory of His presence. We, too, are able to partake in the glory of His presence. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, takes residence in our hearts when we accept the gospel of salvation (John 14:23). We can know a true personal relationship with Jesus Christ and not have to endure another day of fasting in a world of spiritual darkness.
We will often see “two opposing sides” come together to oppose Jesus – sort of along the lines of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. We are not to worry about coming up with our own answers to their criticisms. God has supplied us with all the information we need through the scripture of the Holy Bible.
Perhaps more importantly, we should remember that those who oppose Jesus are experiencing a spiritual “fasting” that they don’t even realize. We should try to do our best to show them that they do not need to be starving for the truth when they can sit at the banquet table right next to us.
posted by MarkD at 12:16 PM
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