They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.

‭‭–Parallel verses:
Isaiah‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬-‭7‬
As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.

Jesus was asked a simple question: Why are your disciples not fasting like the disciples of other rabbis or prophets? Jesus answered their question with a perspective beyond earthly understanding. He really answered their question with another question: How could you ask the friends of the bridegroom not to celebrate with him and instead go into mourning and fasting? And I sometimes wonder when I compare what God wants to do in my life with the “ordinary” of this world, if he is also puzzled at me?

There is nothing ordinary about the Son of God, and his ways are sovereign and high above our ways. Jesus was here on earth to bring salvation to mankind, to those who would choose to call him Savior, to revere him as Lord. This group of followers is called the Church, but it is also referred to as The Bride of Christ. We — all of us who call on the name of the Alpha and the Omega, The Messiah, Jesus Christ, God’s Only Son — are together His Bride. At this time, Jesus had not yet died for our sins, so the age of the Bride of Christ had not yet dawned. And so he refers to his disciples as “friends of the bridegroom”. I love this parallel passage in Isaiah, as well. “Just as a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you …”. Jesus is our Builder, he designed and created us, and he also came to join our human race, though God, to save us! WOW! The Apostle Paul in Colossians says it well: ‬‬ “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬)‬‬

So, we too, live with a living Jesus on the throne and the Holy Spirit living inside us. And we too should rejoice with the bridegroom as his bride is continuing to come to him. For like the processional of the bride, there is a procession of the Bride of Christ, each step representing a century, and with each step — more of those “saved by grace” followers flock to the Bride as it becomes more and more beautiful. Yes, us broken, hurting, and weak people, are called to be a part of the Bride of Christ gathered throughout the ages! What Glory! Praise His Name — for this undeserved honor!

Jesus, I am a grateful and joyful participant in your wedding ceremony as part of the Bride of Christ, your Church. And I am excited to help you swell the ranks of the Bride of Christ and make it even more beautiful!