Matthew 9:15

“And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.”

This verse is part of a larger passage in which the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees approached Jesus with a question about fasting. They noticed that Jesus’ disciples did not fast like John’s disciples or the Pharisees, and they wanted to understand why.

In response, Jesus used the metaphor of a wedding to explain the reason for His disciples’ lack of fasting at that particular time. He referred to Himself as the bridegroom and His disciples as the children of the bridechamber. In Jewish tradition, weddings were festive occasions that lasted for several days, during which fasting was not practised. Jesus implied that it was inappropriate for His disciples to fast while He, the bridegroom, was physically present with them.

However, Jesus also prophesied about a future time when the bridegroom would be taken away from them. This is a reference to His upcoming crucifixion and death. Jesus knew that after His departure, His disciples would experience sorrow and grief, and fasting would become a fitting expression of their longing and supplication. This is why Jesus said, “But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.”

This verse highlights the temporary nature of Jesus’ physical presence on earth and points to the future period of mourning and fasting that would follow His crucifixion. It also indicates that fasting can be an appropriate spiritual practice for believers during certain seasons of seeking God’s guidance, repentance, and spiritual intimacy.

In summary, Matthew 9:15 teaches us that there is a time for rejoicing and a time for mourning, fasting, and seeking God’s presence. It reminds us of the unique role Jesus played as the bridegroom and how His disciples’ practices would change as circumstances shifted. It also suggests that fasting can be a powerful spiritual discipline when practised with a sincere heart and the right intentions.