Mark 2:18

Jenny e il Piccolo

Once when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, "Why don't your disciples fast like John's disciples and the Pharisees do?"

Mark 2:18 nlt

Words have meaning. Years ago, after being introduced to Word Studies in Precept Bible Studies, I developed a hunger for knowing what the Bible said in the original language. It is what sent me on my quest to learn Hebrew, something I know only in part. In the study of Mark's Gospel, I keep coming across Greek words that mean something a little different then the English word they are translated into. If you have been following my Mark study, you know that my intrest was lit with the English word "Immediately" which comes from a Greek word that has been translated from Hebrew. The Hebrew gives a whole new feel to the English translation. It isn't about doing something quickly so much as it is about being upright before the Almighty. Did the translators make a mistake? I do not think they did. The Greek word can carry the idea of a straight edge (like a ruler) or the shortest distance between "here and there". In America we would say, "as the crow flies" meaning the shortest distance from where we are to where we are going. If you do not go all the way back to the Hebrew word YASHAR, then "immediately" is correct. Translation is tricky.

Mark 2:18 starts with G1510 EIMI (in Textus Receptus, not in Nestle) which is a preposition meaning "to be". We would say, "To be a disciple of John and of the Pharisees...."

It seems to say that there are requirements for membership. John the Baptizer and the Pharisees require fasting. It does not seem to be a requirement for the disciples of Y'shua-Jesus. Why, the people wonder, is that?

...YHVH doesn't see things The Way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but YHVH looks at the heart.     1Samuel 16:7b

Mark is going to answer the question of "why" but for now it is enough for me to know that the Almighty does not look at what men see. He looks at my heart, the shepherds house. Men can only judge by what their eyes see. A person who fasts looks like a person who is more committed to the Kingdom of Heaven then they are to the flesh. If you have ever fasted you know that it is not simple. It takes commitment and knowing secrets like, "feasting on the Word feeds the hunger of the spirit in the same way eating food feeds the flesh." Fasting is an important religious practice. But is it required for membership in religious groups? I think that is the question being asked.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father     Colossians 3:17 

There is only one requirement to become a disciple of Messiah. You must be born again! John 3:7 After you are born again, where he directs you is where you must go. If it is to fast, then you must fast. That does not make it a requirement for membership. How will you know his will?

...the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.     Micah 6:8

Who are you living to please? Who is your audience? Turn your eyes to Y'shua-Jesus and live for Him!

Mrs. Hagerty, November 6, 2016