A New Way of Living
Jesus answered those who criticized the eating, drinking, and joyous demeanor of his disciples by asking, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?” (v. 34). The explanation was divinely bold and packed with meaning for his Jewish listeners. A newly married Jewish couple did not honeymoon but stayed home for a week-long open house during which there was continual feasting and celebrating. The bride and groom were treated like king and queen that week (sometimes they even wore crowns). They were attended by chosen friends known as “guests of the bridegroom,” which means literally, “sons of the bridal chamber.” These wedding guests were exempted from all fasting through a rabbinical ruling that said, “All in attendance on the bridegroom are relieved of all religious observances which would lessen their joy.”4
Jesus asserted that his presence justified a feast, and that his followers had the joyous privilege of a perpetual wedding party. In such exalted circumstances it is wrong, if not downright impossible, to mourn. Jesus’ disciples experienced temporary unhappiness when they saw their own sin or failed him. But being in the presence of Jesus brought them relentless joy.