Matthew 9: (also Mark 2)
14Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
15Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
Here, in this chapter, the disciples of John are asking Jesus why His disciples do not fast. Jesus tells them that when He is taken from them, THEN they will fast. This verse speaks volumes to me as to why we should fast. There are times in our life when we feel that Christ is very close. Walking right beside us. Then there are times when we feel like He is so far that He can't even hear us. That's when we should fast. When the Bridegroom feels far, when we need His hand and to hear His voice. Fasting draws Him into our hearts.
At first glance, the next few verses seem disconnected. Jesus begins talking about wineskin. And that no one pours new wine into old wineskins. It will be ruined. This is directly related to fasting when the Bridegroom is taken. Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, was taken from us, giving us the opportunity for new wineskin. It is a gift, but not automatic. We have to want the new skin. When we fast, we sacrifice ourselves and there is no better way to show God that you want new skin, for new wine! You become like Jesus, becoming a living sacrifice and expel the flesh from your life, so that you can now handle the new wine! I am so excited for new wine. New and fresh peace, understanding, knowledge. Its ours for the taking, if we fast.
14Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
15Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
Here, in this chapter, the disciples of John are asking Jesus why His disciples do not fast. Jesus tells them that when He is taken from them, THEN they will fast. This verse speaks volumes to me as to why we should fast. There are times in our life when we feel that Christ is very close. Walking right beside us. Then there are times when we feel like He is so far that He can't even hear us. That's when we should fast. When the Bridegroom feels far, when we need His hand and to hear His voice. Fasting draws Him into our hearts.
At first glance, the next few verses seem disconnected. Jesus begins talking about wineskin. And that no one pours new wine into old wineskins. It will be ruined. This is directly related to fasting when the Bridegroom is taken. Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, was taken from us, giving us the opportunity for new wineskin. It is a gift, but not automatic. We have to want the new skin. When we fast, we sacrifice ourselves and there is no better way to show God that you want new skin, for new wine! You become like Jesus, becoming a living sacrifice and expel the flesh from your life, so that you can now handle the new wine! I am so excited for new wine. New and fresh peace, understanding, knowledge. Its ours for the taking, if we fast.
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