Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, and Luke 5:33-39
Another day with three short readings, parallel accounts of the “fasting” issue from each of the three Synoptic gospels. And again, as with yesterday, in our readings two years ago each of these Synoptic gospels covered three events together in one or two readings. We did not make the parallel “compare and contrast” readings like we are doing this year. In my own comments on these readings two years ago, I did not comment on this “fastings” issue that we discuss today, so no link below.
Each of the gospels has a different group asking Jesus the “fasting” question. In Matthew John’s disciples pose the question; in Mark it’s “the people” (who had observed John’s and the Pharisees’ disciples fasting); and Luke reports that “they” asked the question, with the Pharisees and scribes as the antecedent before the pronoun. But no matter who asked the question, I wonder if the real issue was some measure of jealousy over Jesus’ disciples “living the good life” while John’s and the Pharisees’ disciples were depriving themselves and living with a greater measure of self-denial. If so, their “jealousy” would defeat the whole purpose of fasting which should be focused on repentance, self-denial, prayer – activities in which one engages as he/she wants to grow closer to God. Ironic…!
And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.‘ (Luke 5:39) (Only Luke makes this statement.) Jesus is making a true statement here, that people prefer old wine to new. However, my sense is that Jesus is extending that statement to reflect His new teaching compared to the old teachings of the Pharisees and scribes. There is naturally resistance by both the Jewish leaders and their followers to the change that Jesus is demanding. But aren’t we the same? We choose a church that suits our preferences, our needs. Then as our church grows, people come, people go, the church changes. For the most part we change with it, but occasionally those changes are more dramatic and we move on to where we believe we’ll find “greener pastures”. We saw this happen at St. Andrew’s when we went to the one unified service and saw a number of departures. Now we’re moving forward with David’s resignation and searching for a new rector. How will St. Andrew’s people handle this change? We need to pray for what lies ahead for us.
I thought about fasting, too. I can’t seem to do it! Apparently, the Pharisees fasted twice a week, a regular routine. Quite possibly they were fasting for all the wrong reasons. When I was growing up, we always talked about what we would give up for Lent, usually chocolate, etc. Not once do I remember using that time of “chocolate non-eating” to pray or meditate on Jesus or any kind of spiritual sacrifice, just preventing weight or acne. Talk about wrong reasons!
I appreciate your thoughts about “old wine”, Fred. Change of any kind is not a pretty process. Most of us are highly resistant to new things, the bigger, the worse we react including fear and anger. Cultural changes around us, changes in ways of doing things, ways of thinking about things. Praise God that He is gentle and loving with us as we are transformed!