Lesson 2417

(Lesson 2417)(07-28-18) Mark 2:18-20
    “And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.”

    Today’s quote refers to one of the major religious practices of the Jews; therefore, in order to better understand today’s lesson, we should define the purpose of that tradition.
    To the Jews, fasting was done to memorialize some past suffering that they had endured. It was a means by which practicing Jews could associate themselves with those events of suffering and in some way atone for their own participation in the things that led, or might lead, to those kinds of sufferings.
    Today’s quote relates how the apostles of Christ ignored the tradition of fasting and how Jesus explained their reasons for so doing. Since fasting was connected with suffering, the apostles were not bound to fast seeing that they had no reason to suffer since their Lord was present with them; However, in the quote, Jesus advised His inquirers that once He had completed His divine mission and returned to the Father, the apostles would again be charged to abide by the tradition of fasting.
    The tradition of fasting is seldom practiced, and is not required, among many of today’s “Christians”.~