Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.” Mark 2:19 NABRE
Jews were challenged to fast one day a year, Pharisees and other religious leaders fasted two times a week and John the Baptist who was very austere himself has disciples who fast often as well. Jesus is asked why his disciples do not fast, and the implication, why He is not fasting either. Jesus responds that there is no fasting at a wedding which is occurring in this moment because He is the bridegroom. Wedding feasts are familiar to Jews steeped in the Scriptures. God has revealed His love for His chosen people as a spousal love; “For your husband is your Maker; the LORD of hosts is his name,” (Isaiah 54:5) God is the bridegroom and the people of Israel God’s spouse, Jesus now refers to Himself as the bridegroom who has come to restore the spousal relationship with the people. Israel has broken the covenant relationship with God, and God desires to restore their relationship and Jesus brings this message to the people. Jesus goes on to talk about patching old clothing with a new patch, and not using new wine in old wineskins, rather new wineskins are for new wine. Jesus is restoring something old with something new and in this moment people should rejoice, not fast or mourn.
Jesus’ presence in our lives should be seen as a constant wedding feast, a celebration of love. God wants our love as a spouse who deeply loves. God seeks a personal intimate relationship, desiring we know everything about God and we are aware God knows everything about us. Call on your spouse as a partner in your life, and know your spouse who is perfect love will respond with the perfect response.
Do you see your relationship with God as a marriage? How can you live knowing God is your spouse?
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