Matt 9:14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but Your disciples do not fast? (15) And Jesus said to them, The sons of the bridechamber cannot mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them, can they?
Both the Physician and the Bridegroom are pleasant. In dealing with the self- righteous and dissenting Pharisees of the old religion, the kingly Savior indicated that He was a Physician to heal the sick (v. 12). In dealing with the fasting and dissenting disciples of John who had formed the new religion, He revealed Himself as a Bridegroom to take the Bride. John the Baptist told his disciples that Christ was the Bridegroom to take the Bride (John 3:25- 29). Now Christ, the kingly Savior, reminded some of them of this. The kingly Savior firstly healed His followers, then made them the sons of the bridechamber. Eventually He will make them His Bride. They should appropriate Him not only as their Physician for the recovery of their life, but also as their Bridegroom for a living of enjoyment in His presence. They were at a joyful wedding with Him, not at a sorrowful funeral without Him. How then could they fast and not feast before Him? It would be ridiculous for someone to fast at a wedding. Moreover, to fast while others are enjoying the wedding feast would be an insult to the bridegroom. Here we see the Lord's wisdom. He did not argue with them, but He certainly condemned the religious ones. The Lord seemed to be saying, "You religious people have missed the mark. Don't you realize that I am the Bridegroom and that all My disciples around Me are the sons of the bridechamber? They shouldn't be fasting. They must feast with Me."
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Matthew, pp. 335-336. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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