Verse
Mark 2:19–20 – "And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.’"
Meditation
Jesus, calling Himself the Bridegroom, reveals the deep joy of His presence among His people. A wedding feast is a time of celebration, not mourning. As long as the Bridegroom is with them, there is no need for fasting. But He also foreshadows His coming suffering, when He will be taken away. This time of sorrow, marked by fasting and longing, points to the reality of Christ’s death and His physical absence from His Church. Yet, this is not the end. The Church now lives in joyful expectation, fasting and praying, yet awaiting the great wedding feast of the Lamb, when Christ will return to take His bride to Himself forever.
Old Testament
Isaiah 62:5 – "For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."
The joy of the bridegroom over his bride reflects God’s delight in His people. Just as Israel longed for restoration, so the Church eagerly awaits the return of Christ, her Bridegroom.
Collect
O Lord, our Bridegroom, who has come to bring joy to Your people, sustain us in faith as we wait for Your return. In times of fasting and sorrow, keep our eyes fixed on the feast to come, that we may rejoice in Your presence forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymn Verse
“Jesus, still lead on,
Till our rest is won;
And, although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless.
Guide us by Your hand
To our fatherland.”
(LSB 718:1)
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