Observation: Some of what we know of Jesus comes from the way he (and the Gospel writers) respond to unfair rumors being told about him. In this story, John the Baptist's disciples question him on why he and his followers don't fast. Later on in Matthew, his lack of fasting gets exaggerated into being classified as a "glutton and a drunkard". Then as now, critics will find whatever tiny, unflattering detail they can to discredit him. But Jesus' response expands the conversation: his presence is an occasion for feasting.
Application: Something that has changed very little from Jesus' time to our own is a human obsession with purity. We think in terms of all or nothing. If something is praiseworthy, you should be doing it all the time. If something is problematic, you should never do it, or even hang around people who do. Fasting is good? Okay, I'll do it until I can barely stand. Social media can be harmful? Okay, I'll just cut it out of my life forever and judge those who don't. We have such precious little control over the outside world, so when it comes to the one thing we can control--our behavior--we fall into black and white thinking.
Absent from the conversation is Jesus' perspective: that there are seasons in our lives, and it's no good to respond to every season in the same way. There are times when we should fast, and times when we should have a bite to eat. There are times when we should withdraw a bit, to spend time with God, and times to reengage with the world as changed people.
Most importantly of all, we must remember we will be surrounded by people who are in different seasons than we are. They aren't sinful or ignorant. They aren't judgmental or aloof. They are simply at a different spot in their life's journey. Not ahead of or behind you, but on a different road altogether.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for seasons of fasting, and seasons of feasting. Help us embrace and live in each season of our lives, as your servants and friends. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment