Word@Work 020 - Mark 2:18-20
Published: Fri, 12/07/07
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 2:18-20 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?" 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. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. (NIV)
Mark introduces us to more confrontation - this time about the practice of fasting. The problem could not have been about whether fasting was right or wrong, because Jesus assumed that fasting was as normal a spiritual discipline as prayer and giving to the poor (Matthew 6:16). It was all about how and why it is done.
In the Law of Moses, fasting was only demanded on the Day of Atonement. After the return of the exiles around 500BC, fasting was mandatory on four other feast days in the year. By the time of Jesus, most devout Jews would fast on Monday and Thursday every week as well! These were all man-made additions to the God's law to win God's favour.
Could it be a similar attitude for those who go to church every Sunday - 'religiously'? Does our religious practice assume that God will be impressed by what we do; and if we can do more than He has asked then He will be even more pleased. Jesus put a rude end to the discussion: He pointed out that who you are with, is even more important than what you do! In other words, behaviour has to be rooted in relationship.
It is not wrong to have personal spiritual disciplines, but it is untrue that because I have 'done a spiritual duty', God is satisfied with me. The automatic recitation of psalm, choreographed positions for prayer, fasting and even the mechanical 'quiet time' give my soul no advantage, without knowing Jesus. Such delusions seize even the pagan at times of crisis because nobody has ever explained that faith is can only be expressed in a relationship with the person of Jesus, and not in religious ritual.
Prayer: Almighty God, help me to worship You in Spirit and in truth and to set no store by religious activities if they are not an expression of my living relationship with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Mark introduces us to more confrontation - this time about the practice of fasting. The problem could not have been about whether fasting was right or wrong, because Jesus assumed that fasting was as normal a spiritual discipline as prayer and giving to the poor (Matthew 6:16). It was all about how and why it is done.
In the Law of Moses, fasting was only demanded on the Day of Atonement. After the return of the exiles around 500BC, fasting was mandatory on four other feast days in the year. By the time of Jesus, most devout Jews would fast on Monday and Thursday every week as well! These were all man-made additions to the God's law to win God's favour.
Could it be a similar attitude for those who go to church every Sunday - 'religiously'? Does our religious practice assume that God will be impressed by what we do; and if we can do more than He has asked then He will be even more pleased. Jesus put a rude end to the discussion: He pointed out that who you are with, is even more important than what you do! In other words, behaviour has to be rooted in relationship.
It is not wrong to have personal spiritual disciplines, but it is untrue that because I have 'done a spiritual duty', God is satisfied with me. The automatic recitation of psalm, choreographed positions for prayer, fasting and even the mechanical 'quiet time' give my soul no advantage, without knowing Jesus. Such delusions seize even the pagan at times of crisis because nobody has ever explained that faith is can only be expressed in a relationship with the person of Jesus, and not in religious ritual.
Prayer: Almighty God, help me to worship You in Spirit and in truth and to set no store by religious activities if they are not an expression of my living relationship with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
W@W020 | Word@Work 2002, 2007 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
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