Days Will Come
Mark 2:18-22

Fasting had become a religious means of righteousness, or self-righteousness. It was prescribed twice a week. And a great show was made of it. Self-righteous religion is always a show.

Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast. They ate. They were following the long-awaited Messiah. This was no time for long-faced ritualism; this was a time for joy – wedding party kind of joy.

But, Jesus says, “days will come…” As prophesied by Isaiah, the Messiah will be taken away and cut off from the land of the living. He will be killed for the transgressions of his people. (Isaiah 53:8) Then the disciples will fast. Their grief will kill their appetite.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” (Jesus – John 16:20)

But then, the grief of the cross would give way to the joy of the empty tomb. And soon, when Jesus comes for his bride, we will experience that wedding party kind of joy for eternity.