The passage discusses why Jesus' disciples did not fast like John the Baptist's and the Pharisees' disciples. Jesus explains that his disciples do not need to fast while he is with them, but will fast after he is taken away. It also provides valid reasons for fasting such as humility, prayer, and spiritual renewal, and wrong reasons like anger or pride. Fasting should be done privately and for drawing near to God, not to impress others.

1. Mark 2:18-20
Why Fast?
Should we fast today?

2. Mark 2:18-20
18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees
were fasting. Then they came and said to Him,
"Why do the disciples of John and of the
Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?"
19 And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of
the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with
them? As long as they have the bridegroom with
them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will
come when the bridegroom will be taken away
from them, and then they will fast in those days.

3. Contrasts Noted
John fasts – Jesus attends feasts
How come?
Some fasts were required in the Law of Moses
Most fasts of Jesus' time were imposed by the
Jewish leaders (but not required in the Law)
After we celebrate Thanksgiving with a feast and
usually some over eating – It might be time to
look at fasting.

4. Valid Reasons for Fasting
1 – To get well
We need a proper diet
Sometimes we need to clean out and start
over
Purge out our system
2 – Time of distress, grief, loss
1 Samuel 1:7 So it was, year by year, when
she went up to the house of the Lord, that she
provoked her; therefore she wept and did not
eat.
This fast is often involuntary

5. Valid Reasons for Fasting
3 – Time of danger
Esther 4:16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are
present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat
nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids
and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the
king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I
perish!"

6. Wrong Reasons for Fasting
1 – Anger
1 Samuel 20:34 So Jonathan arose from the
table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second
day of the month, for he was grieved for David,
because his father had treated him shamefully.

7. Wrong Reasons for Fasting
2 – Sulking, Pouting
1 Kings 21:4 So Ahab went into his house
sullen and displeased because of the word
which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to
him; for he had said, "I will not give you the
inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down
on his bed, and turned away his face, and
would eat no food.

8. Wrong Reasons for Fasting
3 – To be seen of men
Matthew 6:16-18 16 "Moreover, when you fast,
do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad
countenance. For they disfigure their faces
that they may appear to men to be fasting.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their
reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint
your head and wash your face, 18 so that
you do not appear to men to be fasting, but
to your Father who is in the secret place;
and your Father who sees in secret will

9. God's Reasons for Fasting
1 – Humility
Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were
sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled
myself with fasting; And my prayer would
return to my own heart.

10. God's Reasons for Fasting
2 – Prayer
Prayer and Fasting are often connected
Mark 9:29 So He said to them, "This kind can
come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."
1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive one another
except with consent for a time, that you may
give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and
come together again so that Satan does not
tempt you because of your lack of self-
control

11. God's Reasons for Fasting
3 – Spiritual Renewal
Isaiah 58:1-3 1 "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up
your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people
their transgression, And the house of Jacob
their sins. 2 Yet they seek Me daily, And
delight to know My ways, As a nation that
did righteousness, And did not forsake the
ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the
ordinances of justice; They take delight in
approaching God. 3 'Why have we fasted,'
they say, 'and You have not seen? Why have

12. God's Reasons for Fasting
3 – Spiritual Renewal
Isaiah 58: 4-6 4 Indeed you fast for strife and
debate, And to strike with the fist of
wickedness. You will not fast as you do this
day, To make your voice heard on high. 5 Is
it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man
to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head
like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth
and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And
an acceptable day to the Lord? 6 "Is this not
the fast that I have chosen: To loose the

13. God's Reasons for Fasting
3 – Spiritual Renewal
Isaiah 58: 7-8 7 Is it not to share your bread
with the hungry, And that you bring to your
house the poor who are cast out; When you
see the naked, that you cover him, And not
hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then
your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And
your righteousness shall go before you; The
glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

14. Conclusion
Fasting has a purpose – withdraw,
introspection, soul searching, seeking
Fasting is for times of separation, loss, grief
Fasting is not “required” in the NT
But it is taught, encouraged and approved.