After I posted the piece on prayer and fasting, I went out into the hall to read some Scripture. Melissa has given me two Bibles—one I use at home, and the other is my office/pulpit Bible. There’s something about having either one, and knowing she got it for me. Anyway, my “traveling” Bible is falling apart after 12 years of rough riding in my back pocket. So I have the one from home with me. It’s one that I have used to do my “slow read” of the gospels—anywhere from 2-6 verses a day. So I was back doing that in Mark (having set aside Luke for some reason) and was in Mark 2 where Jesus is questioned about why His disciples aren’t fasting like the disciples of John and the Pharisees were.
Jesus’ answer: “How can the friends of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? When he is taken from them, then they will fast.” How wonderful it was that this was the Scripture passage for me to read! And so, indeed, we fast because we do not have His presence, but then we fast also to find His presence.
p/g,
Aaron
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