“And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.” (Luke 5:33-35 KJV).
When the physical nature of our being interferes in our time with God, a call for fasting and prayer to be in the spiritual presence of God is essential. Especially when one is strongly pulled away from God’s presence by the carnal tendency of the flesh, our recourse is to fast and pray. Major decisions and actions of significance are better done with fasting and prayers, like when Esther needed to see the King un-summoned (Esther 4:16). When God feels so distant, by sincere prayers and fasting, we can draw close under the shadow of His power. It is surrendering to the presence of Grace.
The disciples are in the presence of Grace in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord in these passages was basically telling the religious Jews that His presence meant that it wouldn't be a time of sorrow. His presence changes the dull ambience of His absence into joy. This reality and the people's recognition of this reality becomes the basis for celebration and rejoicing. The Lord Jesus was the Bridegroom the Bride had been waiting to come, in praying and fasting. Now, He has come. He is present with the Bride - the church (you and I who receive His Lordship and are born again by faith) and the disciples. In His presence we celebrate, we eat and we drink. He is amazing and divine: He is God with us. He is God who came to earth to live with His people. Things are not anymore the same as they used to be. The dawn of a new era came, and it is an era of joy, salvation, and celebration. A time to feast and rejoice.
Now, the Lord Jesus is no longer physically on the earth, there will be moments of sorrow, of repentance, and of prayer that call for fasting. But when He was present with humanity physically, there was no time for fasting and prayer, most specially rituals! This we do with thanksgiving to draw close to Him. The challenge for us is to live in the joy of waiting in this time of dispensation of grace. We are to live in anticipation of His coming, to bring us - His church, His Bride, to our eternal dwelling. Steadfast in faith, with prayer and fasting when called for and not as religious ritual observance, we are invited to celebrate, as Apostle John testified: “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”” (Revelation 19:9 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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