The Time Will Come … They Will Fast!

Matthew 9:15 (NIV) – 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.

John’s disciples kept comparing themselves with the disciples of Jesus. Comparison can kill morale and mislead. We need to pray against the spirit of always comparing ourselves with others. We were made unique therefore we are incomparable. May we embrace our uniqueness and enjoy life as intended by God.

Matthew 9:14 (NIV) – Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

John’s disciples discovered that there was difference between them and the disciples of Jesus. Disciples of other teachers fasted regularly. Disciples of John also fasted regularly. The disciples of Jesus had not been seen fasting. This was a concern for John’s disciples.

John had told his disciples that Jesus was the Messiah. Therefore the disciples of Jesus were closer to the ideal spirituality compared to those of John. John himself praised Jesus in great ways. The disciples of John therefore looked up to Jesus and His disciples for a way of life. They noticed that everyone was engaged in the spiritual discipline of fasting except the ideal disciples of the Messiah!

How can everyone else struggle with suffering in fasting and yet the ideal disciples are not fasting? Is fasting nullified? Is there something better than fasting? These guys were into comparison. Are we better than them, now that we are fasting? Are they better than us yet they are not fasting? The question to Jesus therefore was, why are they not fasting?

Matthew 9:15 (NIV) – 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.

Jesus told them that the time will come when His disciples will fast. It may be your time now to fast, do it without imposing on others whose time has not yet come. You are not comparable. You fast now, they will fast later. The time will come…they will fast!

Not every time is fasting time. There are times when it may not be appropriate to fast. There are times when the only way out is fasting. Know the difference and accept that our circumstances are varied. You are fasting now as they feast. Focus on your fast and let them feast happily. The time will come…they will fast!

Why are you bothered that they are not fasting like you? How does it hurt you if they do not fast? If Jesus is their Teacher, doesn’t He know better? Why does it bother you? You need to work on that internal push that causes you to be concerned about things that do not concern you. That is an evil spirit. Do not mind them as they feast and as you fast. The time will come…they will fast!

People grow spiritually differently. You may be ahead of others. Do not be so irritated by others who are just beginning their journey. You may be so zealous that you are vegetarian, you dress well, you parent well, you are the personification of what the church teaches. In your excellence do not feel like pressurising others to quickly reach your level. Let God who never fails guide them too. Do not rush them. They will grow and mature like you. The time will come…they will fast!

May God grant us patience as we interact and work with others. May God save us from the evil spirit of comparing ourselves with others and feeling better than others. May God help us to know when it is feasting time and fasting time. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

**This author has written many books including one titled – Prayer N’ Fasting, An Introduction to the Theology of Prayer for Personal and Group Revival– the book is available on Amazon for International buyers, and it’s also all over Kenya in Adventist Book Centers (ABC).

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