Day Nine: Fasting and Feasting (Mark 2:18-22)
Devotional: Maybe you’ve heard it said, “Keep up with the times”. How many dads have heard those words spoken from their exasperated teenager. “Dad, nobody wears that anymore.” Daaaad, don’t be so old-fashioned”. Life is full of change, but for some it’s not always easy to stay up or catch up.
That certainly was the case for John’s disciples and the Pharisees in vs. 18-22. They seemed to be behind when it came to spiritual fasting. Fasting in the Old Covenant (the Law) was different than fasting in the New Covenant (the age of grace). Fasting was a big deal in the Bible. In fact, it’s mentioned 77 times. But the vast majority of the time, it was in the Old Testament.
Under the Law of the Old Covenant, fasting was a requirement once a year and people would wail in sackcloth and ashes to demonstrate repentance from sin. It was a reminder that they were looking for the future restoration of a coming Messiah. But for New Covenant Christians, Jesus had already come.
That’s what Jesus was getting at when He talked about not sewing unshrunk cloth on old garments or pouring new wine into old wineskins. These metaphors were reminding them (and us) that you can’t mix the Law with grace. Under the New Covenant, we feast instead of fast, because the presence of Christ and the work of Christ, which covers past, present and future sins! Fasting is no longer a requirement.
But some might say, “But Jesus said that when the Groom (which is Jesus) is taken away they will fast”. That’s true, but “that day”, mentioned in v. 20, was most likely referring to when Jesus died until Pentecost (Acts 1), when the Holy Spirit would come and indwell the disciples. It was fitting to fast since it was a period without the constant presence of Christ. It wasn’t intended for believers today who have the presence of “The Groom” through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in fasting as New Covenant Christians. Fasting is an act of longing and desire for a fuller sense of God’s power and presence. Even though we have the “Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9) in us, they are times we struggle with feeling His presence. Those would be good times to consider a spiritual fast. In the book of Acts it seemed that the early church would fast when they needed God’s presence in determining a course of action to take. Another good time to consider a fast.
As New Covenant Christians our lives should be marked by the joy of feasting not fasting. But there are appropriate times that fasting is a spiritual discipline that can help us sense His presence, power and direction in greater ways. Are you in a season of feasting? If not, because of spiritual dryness or confusion of direction, consider seeking God through a fast so that you’re life can return to feasting!
Prayer: Consider a one meal or full day fast from food and/or something in your life (TV, computer, etc). Take that time for a little extra time reading the Word and seeking His face in prayer and praises.
Devotional: Maybe you’ve heard it said, “Keep up with the times”. How many dads have heard those words spoken from their exasperated teenager. “Dad, nobody wears that anymore.” Daaaad, don’t be so old-fashioned”. Life is full of change, but for some it’s not always easy to stay up or catch up.
That certainly was the case for John’s disciples and the Pharisees in vs. 18-22. They seemed to be behind when it came to spiritual fasting. Fasting in the Old Covenant (the Law) was different than fasting in the New Covenant (the age of grace). Fasting was a big deal in the Bible. In fact, it’s mentioned 77 times. But the vast majority of the time, it was in the Old Testament.
Under the Law of the Old Covenant, fasting was a requirement once a year and people would wail in sackcloth and ashes to demonstrate repentance from sin. It was a reminder that they were looking for the future restoration of a coming Messiah. But for New Covenant Christians, Jesus had already come.
That’s what Jesus was getting at when He talked about not sewing unshrunk cloth on old garments or pouring new wine into old wineskins. These metaphors were reminding them (and us) that you can’t mix the Law with grace. Under the New Covenant, we feast instead of fast, because the presence of Christ and the work of Christ, which covers past, present and future sins! Fasting is no longer a requirement.
But some might say, “But Jesus said that when the Groom (which is Jesus) is taken away they will fast”. That’s true, but “that day”, mentioned in v. 20, was most likely referring to when Jesus died until Pentecost (Acts 1), when the Holy Spirit would come and indwell the disciples. It was fitting to fast since it was a period without the constant presence of Christ. It wasn’t intended for believers today who have the presence of “The Groom” through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in fasting as New Covenant Christians. Fasting is an act of longing and desire for a fuller sense of God’s power and presence. Even though we have the “Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9) in us, they are times we struggle with feeling His presence. Those would be good times to consider a spiritual fast. In the book of Acts it seemed that the early church would fast when they needed God’s presence in determining a course of action to take. Another good time to consider a fast.
As New Covenant Christians our lives should be marked by the joy of feasting not fasting. But there are appropriate times that fasting is a spiritual discipline that can help us sense His presence, power and direction in greater ways. Are you in a season of feasting? If not, because of spiritual dryness or confusion of direction, consider seeking God through a fast so that you’re life can return to feasting!
Prayer: Consider a one meal or full day fast from food and/or something in your life (TV, computer, etc). Take that time for a little extra time reading the Word and seeking His face in prayer and praises.
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