ARE YOU AT THE WEDDING?

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Then John's disciples came and asked Him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Matthew 9:14-15

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Have you ever been to a wedding?

Most of us have.

So has that wedding ever been a time of mourning or sorrow or regret?

I’ve never been at one like that.

For every wedding I’ve ever been at has been a time of great celebration…a time when love reigns supreme as a man and a woman take their vows to live together forever, for richer or for poorer…in sickness and in health…in good times and in bad.

Keep this thought in mind as we examine today’s scripture passage.

In it, we find Jesus approached by John’s disciples who asked, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

Fasting was very common in biblical days, typically practiced when one was mourning or seeking repentance for sinful behavior. Never was fasting associated with anything except grief and sorrow.

Question: When we are in Jesus Christ as we are as Christians, should we be living our lives in grief and sorrow? Or does Jesus expect us to live in joy and celebration in recognition of the love and hope we find in Him?

Keep in mind these words as you think about the answer:

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

Ask yourself this…would anyone ask you about the hope you have if you’re walking around in an attitude of misery and sadness?

I know I wouldn’t because I wouldn’t see any indicator of hope in you.

Friends, we are to rejoice and be glad we have Jesus in our lives…and we are to let everyone know He is alive and living in and around us.

This is why Jesus answered John’s disciples by saying:

"How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”

Indeed, while Jesus was with His disciples, they were to be thankful and joyous…celebrating Him in everything they do. The only time that would change is when He was taken from them…for in losing Him, they had lost everything. And life without Jesus would be a miserable life.

As we travel through Lent, perhaps you are fasting as a way of preparation for reliving Jesus being arrested, wrongly accused and sentenced, crucified until dead and then buried. Every year, we need to be remembered of the suffering and sacrifice that He gave for us. But then, just as death and the grave could not keep Jesus down…so too in His resurrection that we find our dejection turn to happiness ...our anguish turn to delight.

Friends, with Jesus in your life, are you at the wedding…a part of the celebration that comes with being in the company of the bridegroom? Or are you with those who are fasting, trading elation and bliss for despondency and melancholy?

We have a choice.

It’s my prayer that we all choose joy and hope every time…for Jesus lived, died and lived again to bring us just that.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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