In this segment of the Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 Project, we are still implementing soap but in a “devotional manner.” We will still look at the text and draw our observations from the text and seek to apply faithfully. However, the whole segment will be done in a prayerful manner, seeking to engage our hearts and our minds upon Christ and His truth.
SOAP: Read Scripture > Observations on the Context > Apply Faithfully > Pray the Scripture
Why Are They Not Fasting?
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
John the Baptist’s disciples come to Jesus and ask why they and the Pharisees fasted often, but Jesus’ disciples didn’t. It seems like a just question. Jesus was by no means setting an example to never fast, but, He explains, while He is with the disciples, they don’t need to fast. However, when He is gone, they will. Jesus illustrates this with the Bride and the Bridegroom, an old garment and new cloth, and new wine into old wineskins versus new wine into new wine skins. Therefore, it is clearly a command of Jesus to fast.
Have you ever fasted (which simply means given up something for a special season to focus on the Lord)? You can fast anything. I encourage however, to not just “go without eating (or whatever it is),” but to take the extra time you have because of what you are forgoing and spend it in prayer and the Word. Fasting can be a time of communion. It is not about deprivation but recognizing our need being met by the Lord with even greater clarity.