Jesus Explains Fasting - Are We Too Rigid?

Bible Study Lesson from Luke 5:33-39

They're at it again - I'm talking about the Pharisees. When they question Jesus about why his disciples are not fasting, Jesus gives a revealing answer in this Bible study lesson from Luke. Read and see how this message applies to our lives and the Christian church.

5:33 And they said to Him, “The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink.”

34 And Jesus said to them, “You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?

35 But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.”

36 And He was also telling them a parable: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.

37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.

38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.

39 And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’”

Fasting, New Ideas, and the Christian Church

What is Fasting?

According to Wikipedia, "fasting" is defined as ..

"Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day (24 hours), or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive, limiting particular foods or substance. The fast may also be intermittent in nature. Fasting practices may preclude sexual intercourse and other activities as well as food."

Why Didn't Jesus' Disciples Need to Fast?

While Jesus was among them, there was no need. Christ knew he was God in flesh and he also knew that he would be leaving them behind soon. Fasting would resume after his death. This is yet another prediction which Jesus knew was coming to pass on the cross.

"Old Wineskins"

When Jesus mentioned putting new wine into old wineskins he was referring to the expansion of wine as it ages. A skin which was used became very rigid and didn't give like the new ones. So, the wine would literally burst the bag once it began its aging process.

Pharisees - Old or New?

As you might guess, the religious leaders were more like the old wineskins and set in their ways. They were not able, or willing, to accept Christ as he was new and they were too rigid to embrace the radical thinking of Christianity which consisted of different concepts and traditions.

Are We Too Rigid?

As a church, are we too rigid to change? Can we accept new ideas for worship and maybe invite those in who are not exactly like us? These are some questions we need to answer in order to follow Christ. He was anything but traditional - a radical in the eyes of the Pharisees but we know who he really is.

So, let's try to at least be open to new ideas or concepts, not to say that we should go out and shave our heads but consider that there is more than one way to bring lost people to Christ. The example that comes to mind in my area is the "Cowboy Church".

It's been a long time since I've ridden a horse - how about you?

Love in Christ

- Bob

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