Fasting has become quite a fad these days in the health and wellness space. But what those gurus describe is a lot different than the fasting referred to in this passage. In a Biblical context, fasting is a spiritual discipline designed to draw people closer to God and God’s will for their lives. Jesus’ teaching about fasting reveals a lot.
It makes sense that because God is already with his disciples, they don’t need a special time of devotion. Every moment spent with Jesus draws them closer to God. Jesus uses the example of a groom and a wedding feast. Of course, Jesus is the groom in the story.
The other examples, using shrinking fabric and wineskins, are a little more obscure. What was Jesus trying to say? He was trying to point out that he, as Messiah, was bringing a new understanding of God’s law and intentions. We call this the “New Covenant.” Old rules don’t always fit in with a new system. Jesus suggests a bursting forth of new traditions. Did you find that example helpful?
Mark immediately moves on to a relevant and new topic. Jesus’ words about the Sabbath are an easy segue from fasting because of the similarities. Sabbath is the time God wants us to set aside as rest each week so we can be in communication with Him. It makes sense that Jesus wouldn’t have “enforced” the Sabbath in the same way, claiming his divinity.
Jesus was making waves in the religious community with his apparent disregard for their traditions. Keeping the Sabbath holy was one of the 10 Commandments after all. Jesus, the master storyteller, used a familiar account of King David’s abuse of the Sabbath to feed his own men. And then Jesus said these powerful words. “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
In other words, Jesus was telling them he could do what he wanted on the Sabbath. Mark shares another instance of Jesus’ unexpected behavior on the Sabbath. I’m sure that man with a deformed hand was pleased that Jesus made an exception for him. While unnamed, that man’s story has spoken to us over the generations. Again, Jesus proves he cannot be contained. God has no limits. Why do we imagine that the opposite is true?
The text says Jesus “looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts.” When I read that line, I couldn’t help picturing Jesus’ reaction to our world today. I’m deeply saddened to see how lost people are. Reading books from 30 years ago or longer, the lament has been the same. Hardened hearts seem to be a never-ending problem.
Don’t forget why the Sabbath is important. Jesus’ own words remind us that the Sabbath is for us. God knew we would need the rest and reconnection with him lest we fall prey to the trappings of the world that bombard us every other day and hour. If you don’t routinely take a Sabbath rest, make that a priority to work toward.
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, I worship and honor you in your great wisdom. You knew exactly what we needed to survive in this world, and that’s to draw closer to you. Forgive me for my missteps that have led me astray. Help me to forgive myself, too. May I do a better job of resting in your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
