Luke 5 is sectioned off in most bibles into 5 glimpses into the life and ministry of Jesus. Its a "day in the life of Christ" as it were. But as I read through Luke 5 recently, I realized that each section has a punch all its own and that reality can get lost if we (or at least I) don't slow down and at least reflect for a moment on what the Holy Spirit is trying to communicate.
(To read about the lessons 1-2 go here)
(To read about the lessons 3-4 go here)
Luke 5:33-39 clearly is focused on fasting. That's the question Jesus is asked and that is the main intention of his direct response and the parable he tells to undergird his response. And yet, there is something deeper here than just the appropriateness of fasting. I'd like to share just a few observations. First, notice why Jesus says his disciples are not currently fasting. They are not fasting because Jesus is there. In other words, Jesus is saying what else could they possibly need when I am in their midst. Next, Jesus says that fasting will resume once he departs. Given the reality of the omnipresence of God and that Jesus is always with the believer in the person of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes a clear distinction between non-fasting when he was with the disciples and fasting after he departed. And, we see this played out in the book of Acts. One implication of this is there will be no more fasting in the new heavens and the new earth because what more could we possibly want or need when we are in the presence of the Triune God?
Another observation that flows out of the parable is that Jesus' first coming has changed fasting (technically, he changed everything, but that is beyond the scope of this post and outside the context of these verses). He didn't erase its need or diminish its purpose. But he did fundamentally change it. What did Old Testament saints fast and pray for? I don't know completely, but I'm guessing that if their fasts and their prayers were in alignment with Scripture, they would be asking for the coming Messiah, for redemption from their sins, for the fulfilment of the promises of God. Jesus' point in Luke 5 is this: we have received everything we were previously fasting for. (See 2 Cor 1:20 "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.") So what do we fast and pray for now? How has the goal and objective of fasting changed? First, the revelation we've been given is different. We can see the Trinity more clearly. We can see the grace and mercy of God more vibrantly. We can see the global reach of the gospel more fully. Our fasting must flow out of this better vision that God has granted us. Next, we are at a fundamentally different spot in the flow of redemptive history. Jesus' life, death and resurrection changed everything. We no longer need to ask for the coming Messiah, but we can now plead for his return. We no longer need to ask for redemption from our sins, but we can now seek the further in breaking of God's kingdom and that Jesus mercy and love would extend to more and more people. We no longer need to ask for the law and the sacrifices to be fulfilled, but we can desire the consummation of all that God wants to accomplish both in this age and in the one to come.
After walking through this single chapter in the gospel of Luke, I'm amazed (again) at how much God has said, and continues to say, in his Word. I pray we never tire of hearing it.
To God Alone Be The Glory
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