Customary Religion

Mark 2:18-22
There is a question posed here in vs. 18.  The people asking the question essentially want to know why Jesus and his disciples do not look like other disciples they have seen, mainly those of John and the Pharisees.  The customary religious practice of that day was to fast, to forgo eating and drinking in favor of religious piety.  This was accepted as the religious norm of the day, and now here is a man claiming to be God's son and yet does not conform to this religious tradition.  But Jesus tells them that it is exactly because he is God's son, with them, that neither he nor they fast (vs. 19).  The very reason they thought should give merit to their fasting is the very reason they are not fasting.  Why observe a religious tradition meant to draw near to God when he is right there with them in the flesh?  He informs them that fasting will take place, but it will be different and only after he leaves (vs. 20).  The old way of fasting, according to law, is no longer necessary; a new way is being ushered in, a Christ-led way (vs. 21, 22).  This is a great example of Jesus not looking like the cookie-cutter religious people of the day.  They had embraced law and tradition, and it resulted in their questioning and doubting Jesus, simply because he didn't look like other religious people.  Even John the Baptist was thrown off by this break from ordinary, customary religion.  Not long after this instance (recorded in Matthew 9), he sends disciples to question Jesus' legitimacy (recorded in Matthew 11).  What do we follow?  Hollow, religious tradition that conforms to the religious atmosphere of the day and rejects Jesus?  Or do we follow Jesus, who rejects the normal religious atmosphere?