both feasting and fasting

The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.

Mark 2:20

Jesus feasted with sinners and it brought questions from many. He called Levi the tax man to follow Him and the grateful guy threw a party inviting all his notorious friends to join Jesus at his table (Mark 2:13-17). There the questions that were meant to put Jesus on the spot began. First the disciples were grilled on Jesus’ choice of company: tax collectors and sinners. Jesus makes Himself the answer. Jesus replied that He was obligated to be with them in order to call them to repentance.

Then the people questioned the appropriateness of the feast itself given that both John the Baptist and the Pharisees taught their disciples to fast. Again Jesus makes Himself the answer: “I’m here now, so celebrate what God is doing. There will be plenty of time for fasting when I’m gone.”

The disciples slowly got that Jesus was the center. The Pharisees never really did! But will Christians today, both with feasting and with fasting make Jesus the sole focus of our lives? Will we celebrate and commemorate our Bridegroom Saviour as His Church, His Bride, His people?