We are certainly very familiar with the secrecy of worship before God. Generally, all religions agree that worship or devotion to God is shown in secret. A person’s worship or devotion before God should not be flaunted or boasted about. Publicly broadcast worship is hypocrisy, and such behavior does not please God. For example, when someone intends to help another person, they should do so as discreetly as possible. But what if a worship practice has already become a public routine so that those who do not do it are considered at fault?
In Matthew 9:14–17, John’s disciples ask Jesus about His disciples who do not fast. In verse 14, John the Baptist’s disciples asked Jesus, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?” This question can be interpreted in two ways. First, John’s disciples may have wanted to know, without any particular intent. Second, they may have intentionally wanted to confront Jesus and His disciples for not doing what had become the consensus. The first is neutral, while the second intends to criticize Jesus. Given its close connection to the previous verse, the question was likely a criticism of Jesus and His disciples. In the previous verse, the Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Verse 14 appears to continue that event. So, it is highly likely that the Apostle Matthew indeed placed this story as part of a series of criticisms against Jesus.
In response to that criticism, the Lord Jesus answered, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn while the bridegroom is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” Here the Lord Jesus answered the criticism with a question that struck right at the legalism of John’s disciples and the Pharisees that day. Legalism is a doctrine that emphasizes rigid, literal, or excessive adherence to laws, rules, or moral or religious codes. Rather than feeling guilty and immediately setting a fasting schedule, Jesus answered in a way that emphasized authentic worship.
The Lord Jesus likened His disciples to the bridegroom’s friends. In Israelite tradition, while awaiting a wedding, the bridegroom’s friends would rejoice with the groom. It was unusual for Israelites to do the opposite. Mourning through weeping occurs at certain times, such as the death of a family member or during fasting. In the Bible, we find a similar custom when those who fast are depicted as being in a state of mourning (2 Samuel 1:12; 12:22; Nehemiah 9:1; Daniel 9:3). This suggests that fasting parallels a mood of mourning. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Lord Jesus said that if the bridegroom (referring to Jesus Himself) is still with His friends, then they will not yet fast. But when the bridegroom is taken from them, referring to the time after Jesus’ death, then they will fast.
Through this parable, Jesus wanted to emphasize that worship is not done because everyone else is doing it, but must arise from a sincere heart and a longing to perform worship itself. Fasting while Jesus was still with the disciples ultimately only aimed to please the masses. This does not mean that worshiping according to custom is wrong. However, worshiping only out of a habit that is dry of longing is what Jesus opposed.
We must seriously guard all our motivations in doing something labeled “spiritual.” We need to carefully examine whether what we do is grounded in our longing and love for God. Without longing and love, all spiritual activities we perform before God have little meaning. Worship and all spiritual activities become parrot-like actions trapped in legalism. The emphasis is on “I must,” not “I thirst.”