Mark 2:18-22 A Time for Joy and a Time for Longing

A Time for Joy and a Time for Longing

Mark 2:18–22

Introduction: The Anticipation of a Long-Awaited Meeting

Imagine the moment when a soldier returns home after years away. The family waits eagerly, hearts pounding as they scan the crowd. Then suddenly, the soldier appears—and joy erupts. There are tears, laughter, and embraces. No one mourns during a reunion like that. It’s a time of celebration.

This is the kind of joy Jesus speaks about when people question why His disciples don’t fast like the Pharisees or John’s followers. Fasting, in their context, was a symbol of longing for God’s presence. But Jesus’ disciples weren’t waiting for God to come—they were already with Him. Jesus reveals that His presence marks the beginning of something completely new—the arrival of God’s kingdom in power and grace.

Background & Context

Jesus responds to the question of fasting with a powerful image: “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).

By calling Himself the bridegroom, Jesus ties His identity to Old Testament imagery where God is described as Israel’s husband (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19–20). His point is clear: God has come in the flesh. This is not a time for mourning—it’s a time for celebration.

The question of fasting didn’t come from hostile critics, but from curious observers. They noticed a difference: while the Pharisees and John’s disciples fasted regularly, Jesus’ followers didn’t. Their religious habits were built around outward signs of devotion, but Jesus was introducing something far deeper—a relationship with God that redefines everything.

A Time for Celebration (Mark 2:19)

Jesus compares His presence to a wedding feast. No one attends a wedding expecting sorrow—they come to celebrate. In the same way, His disciples had reason for joy because they were with the long-awaited Messiah.

This invites a personal question: Do we see our relationship with Jesus as a source of joy? Or are we still chasing joy in the temporary pleasures of this world? Solomon had every earthly delight but declared that apart from God, it was meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:9–11). Jesus reminds us not to store up treasures on earth but to invest in what lasts forever (Matthew 6:19–21). Real joy is found in Him.

A Time for Longing (Mark 2:20)

Jesus continues, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day” (Mark 2:20).

This is the first indication in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus will be taken away—a reference to His coming death. In that time, fasting will be appropriate, not as a ritual, but as an expression of sorrow and longing.

Today, we live in that in-between time. Jesus has come, but He has also ascended. We rejoice in His salvation, but we also long for His return. Fasting today is not about religious performance, but about fixing our hearts on God's kingdom. True fasting is not for show (Matthew 6:16–18)—it’s about seeking deeper fellowship with Christ.

New and Old Do Not Mix (Mark 2:21–22)

Jesus tells two parables:

  • A new patch sewn onto an old garment will tear it.
  • New wine poured into old wineskins will cause them to burst.

What do these mean? Jesus is saying that the new life He offers can’t be added to old religious systems. His message isn’t a patch for tradition—it’s a complete transformation. Faith in Him can’t be squeezed into rules built on self-righteousness.

Luke records Jesus adding that some people resist the new because they prefer the old, saying, “The old is good” (Luke 5:36–39). That’s the heart of legalism—clinging to the familiar instead of embracing Christ. But righteousness doesn’t come through the Law; it comes through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:20–22).

Conclusion: A Joyful Expectation

Jesus challenges us to examine our hearts:

  • Are we depending on religious routines, or are we clinging to Christ?
  • Do we treat our faith like a burden or a source of joy?
  • Do we long for His return and set our hope on eternity?

The bridegroom has come. His presence brings joy. But until He returns, we wait—not with despair, but with longing. Let us live as people who rejoice in His salvation and yearn for His kingdom. Let us not cling to the old, but be made new by the One who fulfills every promise.

Scripture References

  • Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19–20 – God is described as Israel’s husband, making Jesus’ claim to be the bridegroom a bold declaration of divinity.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:9–11 – Solomon reflects on the emptiness of pleasure apart from God.
  • Matthew 6:19–21 – Jesus teaches that lasting treasure is found in heaven, not on earth.
  • Matthew 6:16–18 – True fasting is done in secret, seeking God, not approval.
  • Luke 5:36–39 – Jesus says new wine can’t go in old wineskins, showing the incompatibility of His message with religious legalism.
  • Romans 3:20–22 – No one is justified by the Law; righteousness comes through faith in Christ.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mark 1:1-8 The Promise of the Gospel

The Promise of the Gospel Mark 1:1–8 Introduction: A Long-Awaited Bloom Some flowers take a long time to reveal their beauty. The Queen of the Andes is one such plant. It grows quietly for almost 100 years before blooming only once, releasing thousands of smaller flowers and millions of seeds—then it dies. All those years of waiting finally lead to one moment of stunning fulfillment. This is a lot like the Gospel. From the very beginning, God planted a promise that one day a Savior would come to fix what was broken. Through years of waiting and many reminders, God carefully nurtured that promise. In Mark 1:1–8, we see that promise beginning to bloom. John the Baptist steps onto the scene to prepare the way for Jesus—the long-awaited Savior. The Promise of a Savior “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1) The Gospel isn’t just a story—it’s the fulfillment of a plan God has been unfolding since the very beginning. After Adam and Eve sinned in...
Read more

Mark 4:35-41 Who Then Is This?

Who Then Is This? (Mark 4:35–41) Introduction Imagine hiring a contractor for a home renovation. You meet someone confident, knowledgeable, and reassuring, but when the work begins, the experience doesn’t match the promises. Calls go unanswered, deadlines are missed, and the finished product is disappointing. The person who made the promise isn’t the same person delivering the work. Unlike people, Jesus is entirely consistent. Who He claims to be is exactly who He is, both in word and action. In Mark 4:35–41, Jesus demonstrates His power over creation itself, proving that He is not just a messenger but the very Son of God. This passage challenges us to ask, as the disciples did, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41) Jesus’ Purpose: Preaching the Kingdom (Mark 4:35–36) As evening came, Jesus told His disciples, “Let us go across to the other side” (Mark 4:35). He had been teaching the crowds all day, but now He was moving on. Why? Because Jesus...
Read more

Obadiah 1-4 The Pride of Your Heart Has Deceived You

Image
Obadiah 1-4 The Pride of Your Heart Has Deceived You Main Point God has spoken, pride lies, and false saviors fail. Introduction The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, yet its message is sharp and clear. God will humble the proud, and false saviors cannot stand on the Day of the Lord. Obadiah speaks against Edom, the descendants of Esau, who placed their confidence in high rocks, strong defenses, and the pride of their hearts. This is not only ancient history. The same warnings confront us today. Judges showed that God’s people fell apart when they did what was right in their own eyes. Jude warned that false teachers twist grace and lead the church astray. Obadiah declares that those outside God’s covenant who trust in themselves will fall. Pride blinds. Sin destroys. God judges. Only His King can save (Obadiah 1:1 to 4). 1. A Message from the LORD of Coming Judgment Obadiah opens with a vision. The message did not come from his imagin...
Read more