ON THAT DAY THEY WILL FAST / MARK 2:20

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Mark 2:20

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Hunger for the Bridegroom: Understanding Mark 2:20 and the Purpose of Fasting

In the modern world, fasting is often discussed through the lens of physical wellness, detoxing, or productivity hacks. But in the spiritual realm, fasting carries a much deeper, more intimate purpose. It is not a tool to twist God’s arm or a routine to prove our righteousness. True spiritual fasting is an expression of holy longing.

This truth is beautifully captured in a pivotal conversation in the Gospel of Mark. When onlookers questioned why His disciples skipped the traditional fasts practiced by the Pharisees and the followers of John the Baptist, Jesus responded with a powerful picture:

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.” — Mark 2:19-20

The Joy of the Presence

Jesus’ response shifts the entire conversation from external religious rules to a matter of presence and relationship. He compares Himself to a bridegroom and His disciples to wedding guests. A wedding is a time of unhindered celebration, feasting, and joy. It would be entirely inappropriate—even insulting to the host—for guests to fast during the wedding banquet.

While Jesus walked the earth, heaven had invaded time and space. The King was physically present with His people. It was a season for feasting on His words, rejoicing in His miracles, and resting in His immediate care.

The Shadow of the Cross

However, Jesus immediately introduces a somber note, which serves as the very first hint in the Gospel of Mark of His impending death. He warns that “the bridegroom will be taken away from them.” The Greek word used here for “taken away” carries a sense of a sudden, violent removal—a direct foreshadowing of the crucifixion.

When the crucifixion happened, the celebration stopped. The disciples wept, mourned, and faced a harsh reality. But even after the resurrection and His ascension into heaven, we entered a new era. While the Holy Spirit lives inside every believer today, we still experience the physical absence of Jesus on earth. We are living in the interim—the “in-between” time.

We are living in “those days” that Jesus spoke about.

Why We Fast Today

When Jesus said, “and then they will fast on that day,” He wasn’t giving a harsh command; He was stating a natural reality. Spiritual fasting is the physical exclamation point at the end of our prayers. It is a tangible way of saying to God, “I want Your presence, Your power, and Your kingdom in my life more than I desire my next meal.”

Fasting does several vital things for the believer today:

• It expresses homesickness for heaven: We fast because we look forward to the ultimate marriage supper of the Lamb, when we will see Jesus face-to-face.
• It clears spiritual clutter: Abstaining from physical comforts humbles the flesh and sharpens our ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.
• It confesses our utter dependence: It reminds us that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

If you feel distant from God, or if you are facing a breakthrough that requires deep spiritual alignment, remember that fasting is an open invitation. We do not fast to earn God’s love, but because we are desperate to experience more of it.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, to reveal Your heart and break the chains of sin. Forgive us for the times we have treated our relationship with You as a list of rules rather than a sacred bond.

Lord, we acknowledge that we are living in the days where the Bridegroom is physically absent, and our hearts long for Your return. Teach us how to fast with the right heart. When we choose to lay down our physical appetites, let it be an authentic cry for more of Your presence, Your wisdom, and Your power in our lives. Realign our affections, humble our spirits, and help us to seek You above all else.

We look forward with joy to the day when we will feast with You eternally. Until that day, keep us faithful, alert, and deeply hungry for You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

1. TO CALL … SINNERS / MARK 2:17
2. HEALING THE PARALYZED MAN / MARK 2:11
3. SON OF MAN / MARK 2:10
4. DROVE OUT MANY DEMONS / MARK 1:34
5. EVIL SPIRITS OBEY HIM /MARK 1:27
6. SYNAGOGUE / MARK 1:21
7. COME FOLLOW ME / MARK 1:17
8. KINGDOM OF GOD / MARK 1:15
9. THE GOOD NEWS / MARK 1:14
10. TEMPTED BY SATAN / MARK 1:13
11. MY SON, WHOM I LOVE / MARK 1:11
12. THE SPIRIT DESCENDING ON HIM / MARK 1:10
13. JESUS WAS BAPTIZED / MARK 1:9
14. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MARK 1:8
15. THE WHOLE JUDEAN COUNTRYSIDE / MARK1:5
16. BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE / MARK 1:4
17. THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL / MARK 1:1-3
18. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace