“Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, ‘How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?’ Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.'” – Mark 2:18-20
Lent is a time of consecration and fasting, so the selection of this verse may come as a surprise. It appears in the text that Jesus is not concerned with fasting. Let’s be clear that fasting is an important spiritual discipline that Jesus participated in himself (Matthew 4:1-2). But fasting for piety’s sake or to be glorified by others (Matthew 6:16-18) is not pleasing to God. Fasting is an intimate act between you and God that should remain sacred. What Jesus is sharing in the text is the importance of celebrating the now.
People were questioning Jesus as to why his disciples weren’t fasting while the Pharisees and John the Baptist disciples’ were. Jesus lets them know that there’s no need to mourn when there is much to celebrate. The kingdom that the Pharisees and others had been praying and fasting for was present. Jesus is letting them know that the impending kingdom is now here. The time for fasting and mourning was over. It was time to celebrate.
During this time of fasting and consecration, I know many of us are praying for God to make a mighty move in our lives. As we patiently wait with expectation for our prayers and hopes to come into fruition, let us not forget to celebrate the now. Jesus was aware that he had a short period of time with his disciples and wanted them to celebrate and cherish the moments they would spend together during his public ministry. While we have this life let us celebrate our now. Life may not be perfect at this moment and we begin to look into the future hoping for better days not realizing that God is present in our here and now. God is present in the loving relationship of family and friends. God is present in birds of the air and the lilies of the field. God is present in the smile of a child and the cry of a baby. God is present in the flow of the rushing river. God is present all around us and let us celebrate our now with God.
I want to encourage to celebrate the now. Celebrate the God who is dwelling among you right now. No need to wait for the impending kingdom, it dwells among you and within you.
#ConsiderThis
Consider This... 