Question About Fasting

How Jesus Embodied Patience Here

In this passage, Jesus demonstrates profound patience when confronted with religious criticism about his disciples' fasting practices. Rather than responding defensively or dismissively to the pointed question "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?", Jesus shows long-suffering restraint.

His patience manifests first in his willingness to engage seriously with critics who were essentially accusing him of spiritual laxity. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, fasting was a mark of religious devotion and spiritual discipline. The Pharisees fasted twice weekly, and John the Baptist's disciples maintained rigorous ascetic practices. By not requiring fasting, Jesus appeared to be compromising spiritual standards.

Yet Jesus responds with remarkable patience, using three interconnected metaphors to explain his approach. He speaks of "the children of the bridechamber" who cannot fast "while the bridegroom is with them," acknowledging that there will indeed come a time when "the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." This shows patience with the timing of God's plan—understanding that different seasons call for different responses.

Jesus further demonstrates patient wisdom in his analogies about new cloth on old garments and new wine in old wineskins. Rather than forcing his critics to immediately abandon their familiar frameworks, he patiently explains why his ministry requires new approaches. He doesn't tear down their understanding violently but helps them see that "new wine must be put into new bottles"—that the fresh work of God's kingdom requires fresh expressions.

Most significantly, Jesus shows patience with the process of transformation itself. He doesn't demand instant understanding or immediate compliance with his ways. Instead, he provides teaching that his hearers can gradually absorb and understand as events unfold.

Following His Example

First, practice patient explanation rather than defensive reaction when your faith or values are questioned. Like Jesus, take time to understand why someone is asking before responding. When colleagues question your work-life balance choices or family members challenge your priorities, resist the urge to justify yourself immediately. Instead, listen deeply and respond with thoughtful metaphors or stories that help others understand your perspective without feeling attacked.

Second, recognize that spiritual growth—both your own and others'—requires patience with timing and seasons. Just as Jesus acknowledged different seasons for fasting and celebration, accept that some spiritual disciplines or practices may not be appropriate for every phase of life. A new parent might need patience with their disrupted prayer schedule. Someone grieving may need to temporarily set aside certain spiritual practices. Practice long-suffering with yourself and others as faith evolves through different life circumstances.

Third, exercise patience with institutional and cultural change. Jesus could have immediately abolished all existing religious practices, but he understood that transformation happens gradually. When you see problems in your church, workplace, or community, resist the urge to demand immediate wholesale changes. Instead, like Jesus, plant seeds of new thinking while respecting what has value in existing structures. Work for change with the long view, understanding that "new wine" often requires time to develop proper "new wineskins."

Echoes in Other Traditions

This principle of patient adaptation to divine timing and gradual transformation appears across many spiritual traditions. Various wisdom traditions recognize that spiritual maturity involves understanding appropriate seasons for different practices, and that forcing new insights into old frameworks often creates more problems than solutions. The patient teacher who meets students where they are, rather than demanding immediate conformity to new ways, represents a universal principle of wise spiritual guidance.