A warm winter day

Some people in Jesus' time fasted (didn't eat for a while) to show their love for God. Jesus didn't ask His followers to do that. People asked, "Why not?" Jesus said, "If you go to a wedding, you don't skip the dinner. You wait till it's over to do your fasting." And having Jesus around was like a party!

In the middle of winter, sometimes there's a warmer day. And you go crazy! It's still cold, but it feels like summer after all that snow and ice. You want to play outside; you want to wear shorts! Spring is coming!

For some people in Jesus' time, religion was like winter. It was cold and serious, and they had to obey lots of rules, like putting on layers of winter clothes. To show they loved God, they did things like fasting, skipping meals for a long time.

When it's been a long winter and there's finally a little warm weather, you want to celebrate! You start noticing all the things you missed all winter: that there are birds coming back...that it feels great to wear a lighter jacket...that the air smells good as the snow melts.

Jesus wanted people to start thinking of God like that. When Jesus was with them, it was like a wedding or a warm day -- a time to celebrate! There are plenty of ways to show you love God, and fasting is just one of them. Jesus hoped people would show their love by listening to His teachings, being kind to each other and being happy while He was around.

When it's warm during the winter, you know that more cold days are coming. But that doesn't stop you from having fun while it's warm. If Jesus were here, He'd run right outside with you. With Jesus, it's always spring!

(02-27-03) [[In-content Ad]]