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Sunday, April 19, 2009
Fasting?
Then the followers of John came to Jesus. They said to Jesus,
"We and the Pharisees fast often. But your followers don't
fast. Why?" Jesus answered, "{When there is a wedding,} the
friends of the bridegroom are not sad while he is with them.
But the time will come when the bridegroom will leave them.
The friends are sad when the bridegroom leaves. Then they
will fast."
-- Matthew 9:14-15 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Jesus wanted John's disciples, along with his own disciples, to realize
that while he was with them, it was a time of joy. This was not a time
of mourning or fasting or weeping. It's simply inappropriate to fast at
a wedding feast. No, a wedding feast is a time of celebration. But as
bold as this statement is about Jesus' presence altering everything, we
also find a hint that his death will alter everything again, and this
time in a much more painful way. The point: Jesus' presence conditions
the time; it changes everything; it determines our joy.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Almighty and tender Shepherd, I thank you for loving me so much that
you hear my prayers. I believe that Jesus' presence means joy for my
life. But I also recognize that I live between his two appearances on
earth, and thus the joy is not as great as it was when he was here and
far less than it will be when he returns. Give me strength, courage,
and joy so that I can face the challenges of this waiting time with
faithfulness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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>> For further study of today's passage, use our
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http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+9:14-15&sr=1&t=erv
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