Message Notes

RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

1. The practice of Fasting

a) The Disciples of John

b) The Disciples of the Pharisees          Mark 2:18

2. Practice of Fasting

a) Required only on the Day of Atonement          Leviticus 16; 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11

b) Affliction of the soul          Leviticus 23:26

3. History of Fasting

a) Moses… seeking pardon from God for Israel          Exodus 32-34; Deuteronomy 9:15-18

b) Fasting to commemorate calamities          Jeremiah 52:12-13; 2 Kings 25:23-25; Isaiah 58

c) Jesus          Matthew 4; Luke 4

QUESTION PUT TO JESUS

Why did His disciples not fast?          Mark 2:18

REPLY OF JESUS

1. He does not invalidate the practice of fasting

2. But He still defended the non-fasting practice of His disciples

3. Illustration of a Bridegroom and friends          Mark 2:19-21

a) Jesus was compared to the Bridegroom

b) Disciples like the friends of the Bridegroom

c) Fasting would not be in-keeping with the circumstances

d) They will fast at the time when the Bridegroom departs (reference to His death)

TWO RELATED PARABLES

1. Parable of the Un-shrunk cloth on an Old Garment          Mark 2:21

2. Parable of the New Wine in Old Wineskins          Mark 2:22

3. They are incompatible

4. They will clash and cause damage

5. Jesus’ teachings and practices will not be appreciated by the Disciples of John and the Disciples of the Pharisees