March 20, 2023

IN THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST

Luke 5:31-36

Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?”

And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”

Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old.

Personal Challenge

There is much history in the church, as well as the Jewish nation, related to fasting and praying. Before the incarnation of Jesus, the fasting and praying was in anticipation of the coming Messiah. As Jesus was here on earth as a man, He fasted and prayed so that He could be close to His Father. After Christ departed, we fast and pray in remembrance of Him as we look for his return. These are all practices that point us to Him and draw is closer to Him and the Father. Glory be to God!