Why Don’t They?

“Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭‬‬

“Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬-‭35‬ ‭‬‬

“The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom 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 will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭‬‬

John the Baptist disciples came to Jesus asking why they fasted, the Pharisees fasted, but His disciples didn’t. Jesus explained it was because He was with them. They didn’t need to fast. He stated when He was gone, they would fast.

We fast to draw closer to the Lord. The disciples were with Jesus day in and out. They could hear His voice and be in His presence. The Pharisees and John the Baptist disciples didn’t have Him.

What can I learn about fasting from this passage?

• Fasting was done by most Jews.
• Others knew when people were fasting and when they were not fasting.
• The disciples didn’t fast because Jesus was with them.
• Jesus expected the disciples would fast after He was no longer with them physically.
• Jesus mentioned mourning in regards to a question of fasting. So there is a connection between mourning and fasting.

Lord, it is clear that people lived a lifestyle of fasting, as You say not to let others know when fasting, but people could see that the disciples weren’t fasting. I want to be as close to You as I can, I want to walk with You daily and hear Your voice, I want to receive Your instruction. I want to mourn for what grieves Your heart. Help me to fast when You call me to fast: amen.