A religious man considers fasting as a means of finding favor in the eyes of God through his effort, and of affecting the Holy One that he may respond to him. In fact, it is not easy to fast for a complete day, as the stomach contracts because of hunger, and the lips become dry because of thirst.
Christ did not teach his disciples to fast bitterly, but to be with him forever, and altogether happy in his presence. His followers had already tried with John the Baptist to overcome their sins with fasting and repentance, and they failed. But Jesus healed their worried souls with abundance of his love.
The Pharisees, a strict religious party, held fast to the letter without the spirit, and decided with firm determination to establish their self-righteousness on their works according to the law. They did not recognize that he who fasts is wicked in himself, and that fasting cannot change the nature of a man.
Jesus gave those who believed in him a new nature. He purified them with his blood, and gave them life with the power of his Spirit. Thus, he overcame traditions and rituals, and found freedom from the law with self-control in the power of his Spirit. His followers has no need of drawing God’s attention to them through fasting and prayer, for the Holy One came in his Son willingly to men, as a bridegroom takes his bride who is prepared to meet him. Ever since the coming of Christ to the world, we have been living in the gladness of the wedding, for God spiritually is united with believers. Furthermore, the faith in Christ signifies a new covenant.
Rejoicing, and not fasting and weeping, is the emblematic character of the church. He who follows Christ is justified. God responds to us because of Christ’s intercession, and not because of our incomplete works. He who tries to win paradise through contributions and fasting will definitely fall to hell, for he still lives on the foundation of his own power, trying to please God in vain by keeping the law.
Christ delivered us from the bondage of law into the pleasure of God who dwelt with his Spirit in our hearts freely by grace, and not by way of commercial recompense. We are in a state of wedding, for Jesus calls us the friends of the bridegroom.
Christ recognized the future of his church, knowing that his followers would not accord with the law. His gospel is likened to the new wine, which is fermented in his power. Old molds of the law and gloomy worships are not in harmony with the gladness of the free. Therefore, the new power needs new ways in meeting and worshiping, out of which are common songs of praise, charities at the times of distress and hardships, common prayers in home circles, and love of the enemies at all times. The Spirit of Christ, and the joy of the Lord establish new molds of the new spirit.