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Day 20 Matthew 9:14 Matthew 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 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. How many times have you asked why you do things one way, while someone else does them another? Especially as children, when you went to bed earlier than your sibling, or you weren’t allowed to do something and your sibling could. John the Baptist had disciples who believed him and the words he spoke, just as Jesus had his disciples. John’s disciples wanted to know why they adhered to the fasting laws along with the Pharisees, but Jesus and his disciples didn’t. Jesus’ answer showed who he was, and what he would do. Jesus is the bridegroom, and his purpose would be to die. John had told the people who Jesus was when he came to be baptized. John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. The only way Jesus could take away the sin of the world, was to die for it. John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. As Christians, you know Jesus is the Bridegroom. His purpose was two-fold. He came teaching about God’s kingdom, preparing the people for what was to come, his death, and letting the people know he would one day die, and in the moment of his death, there would be sorrow and weeping, but only for a moment. John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you. (KJV) Therefore, you rejoice now, because you know Jesus fulfilled his Word when he told John’s disciples he was the Bridegroom and he would die for the sins of the world, but he would rise again, and true joy would be known to all those who believe him. This was also the first instance when Jesus told John’s disciples what his purpose was-to die. When you know who Jesus is, and why he came, and that he fulfilled his purpose, you have reason to rejoice and not fast as one who mourned. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for sending your Son, to die for me, for showing me his purpose, not only to me, but to all those who would listen and believe. Help me live my life, rejoicing in my salvation, knowing that one day, Jesus will return for his bride. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 8 May 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay