Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those

of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the

bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will

be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” (Luke 5:33-35)

The Jewish leaders demonstrated their “holiness” through praying, giving alms, and fasting – most of

which were done publicly. So, the fact that they did not see Jesus’ disciples fasting was a matter they

thought might provide a “gotcha” moment.

Fasting is the laying aside of food for a period of time when the believer is seeking to know God in a

deeper experience. It is to be done as an act before God in the privacy of one’s own pursuit of God.

(Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary).

One question I have: How did the Pharisees know that the disciples were not fasting – since they might

very well be doing it privately – unlike the more public-attention-getting Pharisees? Whether or not the

disciples were fasting was actually none of the Pharisees’ business!

Jesus patiently responded with an explanation that related to the wedding customs of that day. In that

culture, the wedding feast was an occasion for great joy, celebration, and feasting. His listeners would

have understood that it would not have been appropriate for the wedding guests to fast when the

bridegroom was in their midst.

In fact, if any of the normal religious rituals would diminish the joy of the occasion, those rituals were

not required. Jesus wanted His followers to experience that kind of unhindered joy in His Presence – as

He subtly referred to Himself as the bridegroom. He knew there would come a time when fasting would

be appropriate, but this wasn’t that moment.

He then mentions that a time would come when His disciples would certainly fast -- the time when He,

the bridegroom, was taken away from them. Although He had told the disciples many times that this

would happen, they didn’t really “hear” Him until the events unfolded.

Just as this was the season for feasting and joyful celebration, we too have times when we should feast

and celebrate. Let’s commit to not let any sour-faced Pharisees insist that we should be fasting when we

have every right to rejoice in the presence of Christ. The time for fasting will come, but don’t let that

thought hinder the rejoicing of today.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

By Judy Shrout