One day some people said to Jesus, "John the Baptist's disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?" Jesus responded, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast."
— Luke 5:33-35 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus was basically telling folks that his presence meant that it wouldn't be "business as usual." Jesus' presence changes everything! This reality and the people's decision about this reality become the basis for everything else that follows. Jesus was something new and fresh, and most importantly, he is someone amazing and divine: He was God with us (Matthew 1:23). He was God who came to earth to live with his people. Things are not the same as they used to be. The dawn of a new era came, and it is an era of joy, salvation, and celebration. Yes, since Jesus is no longer physically on the earth, there will be moments of sorrow, of repentance, and of prayer that call for fasting. But when he was physically present, there was no time for business as usual! The same will be true when he comes again! The challenge for us is to live with the joy of his first coming and to live in anticipation of the second coming, as we live in the time in between.
Today's Prayer
Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for changing everything by sending Jesus. I know that there are times of sorrow and hardship in this world. Yet, dear Father, I also know they are not permanent. By sending Jesus, you showed me your heart's desire for me. So, dear Father, until the day my faith becomes sight, help me live with the joy and the courage that faith inspires. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- Luke 2:30-31
- Luke 7:11-17
- Revelation 21:1-5
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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