In Luke 5 How Should We Understand The Relationship Between Fasting And The New Covenant That Jesus Introduces?

Understanding Fasting and the New Covenant in Luke 5

Fasting is a spiritual discipline seen throughout the Old Testament, often associated with repentance, mourning, and seeking God's favor. In Luke 5, Jesus is confronted about His disciples' apparent lack of fasting, leading to a profound teaching on the relationship between old religious practices and the new reality He brings.

The Question About Fasting

The event unfolds as follows:

And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink. And Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast in those days. - Luke 5:33-35 ASV

Here, Jesus is asked why His disciples do not fast like those of John the Baptist and the Pharisees. Jesus responds using the imagery of a wedding, calling Himself the "bridegroom." In Jewish culture, a wedding was a time for celebration, not for fasting or mourning. Jesus implies that His presence brings a new era of joy and fulfillment, making fasting inappropriate for that moment.

The New Covenant and Old Practices

To further illustrate, Jesus gives two brief parables:

And he spake also a parable unto them: No man rendeth a piece from a new garment and putteth it upon an old garment; else he will rend the new, and also the piece from the new will not agree with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old wine-skins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and itself will be spilled, and the skins will perish. But new wine must be put into fresh wine-skins. - Luke 5:36-38 ASV

Jesus uses the images of patching garments and wine in wineskins to express that the new covenant He brings cannot be contained within the old forms of religious observance. The old covenant, with its rituals and laws, pointed forward to the coming Messiah. Now that He has arrived, a new relationship with God is inaugurated—one based on grace and faith in Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:6-13).

The Theological Significance

From a biblical perspective, this passage teaches several important truths:

Jesus fulfills and transforms religious practices: The presence of Christ changes the meaning and purpose of spiritual disciplines. Fasting, which often symbolized longing and anticipation for God's intervention, is transformed in light of the Messiah's arrival.
Fasting is not abolished, but its motivation changes: Jesus says, "then will they fast in those days," indicating that after His departure (His crucifixion and ascension), His followers will fast again—but this fasting is shaped by longing for His return and deeper fellowship, not by legalistic ritual (Matthew 6:16-18).
The new covenant is about relationship, not ritual: The "new wine" of the gospel cannot be contained by the "old wineskins" of ritualistic religion. In Christ, believers experience direct access to God by grace through faith (Romans 3:21-24; Galatians 2:16).

Practical Insights

Fasting remains a valuable practice for believers today when it is motivated by a desire to draw near to God, seek His guidance, or express dependence on Him. However, it should never become an empty ritual or a means of earning God's favor. Instead, it is a response to the grace already given in Jesus Christ.

For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. - Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV

In summary, Jesus teaches that the arrival of the new covenant changes the way we approach spiritual disciplines like fasting. Our focus shifts from ritual to relationship, from anticipation to celebration of what Christ has accomplished.