Time for the New
Opening Prayer
My God, may this be a fresh, new day of living in Your great love and following Your gracious call.
Read Mark 2:18-22
[18] Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” [19] Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. [20] But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. [21] “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. [22] And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why didn't Jesus expect his disciples to be fasting?Mark is eager to demonstrate that Jesus is special, not just a prophet or a teacher but the very Son of God. Jesus ushers in a new era, the presence of God in the world in a new way. In doing so, he is questioned about how his new teaching relates to the old. The Jewish people were used to prophets bringing God’s Word to them. They were also used to priests mediating forgiveness for them. Jesus is something quite different. It’s interesting that fasting is the issue that raises the questions. The prophets fasted to cry out for God to act; John and the Pharisees fasted in repentance and intercession. Jesus comes feasting and calling others to feast. He is not merely bringing a word from God or securing temporary atonement; he is declaring the grace of God, the kingdom come, forgiveness and redemption for all. Now, that certainly deserves a feast! How are you allowing Jesus to bring his kingdom in your life? Does it just feel like more of the same? Jesus’ love and grace is a cause for celebration, for feasting. It is totally different from our world where people strive for acceptance and forgiveness. Jesus truly gives us cause for celebration!
Apply
Praise God and decide to be a bringer of celebration in your world today. How might you begin to do that?
Closing prayer
Lord, may my life reflect Your love and grace so the world around me can celebrate You and all You bring it.
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