Luke 5:33-35

Series: The Kingdom Way

Sermon: When the Groom Is Away

Scripture: Luke 5:33–35

REVIEW

This week, Jesus was asked why His followers seem so different from every other serious religious movement around them.

The Pharisees fast. John the Baptist’s disciples fast. Why don’t Jesus’ disciples fast?

This seems to be an honest question, not a hostile one. Jesus is still at Levi’s banquet, and someone is trying to understand what makes Him and His followers so different.

Jesus answers with a wedding image:

“You can’t make the wedding guests fast while the groom is with them, can you?”

In the ancient world, a wedding was not just a ceremony. After the betrothal, the groom would leave to prepare a place for his bride. The bride’s role was to stay ready, because she did not know exactly when he would return. When the groom came back, it would be with shouting and the blowing of the trumpet, and then the wedding feast would begin.

And no one fasts at the feast.

Jesus is saying something much bigger than, “My disciples are in a different mood.”

He is claiming: Jesus is the Bridegroom.

That means:

• He is not just another rabbi.

• He is not just another prophet.

• He is not just leading another spiritual movement.

He is identifying Himself with divine covenant language. In the Old Testament, God speaks of Himself as the husband of His people. Jesus is stepping into that identity.

So while Jesus is physically present with His disciples, it is a time of celebration, not fasting.

But then Jesus says:

“But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them—then they will fast in those days.”

This points first to the cross. Jesus will be violently taken away.

But it also points beyond the cross. After the resurrection, Jesus ascends. Since that moment, the church has lived in the absence of His physical presence.

So the pattern becomes simple:

In Jesus’ presence — CELEBRATION.

In Jesus’ absence — PREPARATION.

Why? Because fasting reminds us that:

• We are not at the feast yet.

• We are still waiting.

• We are the bride.

• Our job is to stay ready.

Fasting is not punishment. It is preparation.

This world is not the wedding feast. Jesus is still preparing a place for us. And one day, He will return for His bride.

APPLY

This week, ask yourself:

What is fasting meant to do in me?

Jesus showed us that fasting matters in the waiting. The sermon gave four reasons fasting is so important:

1. It confronts comfort. Comfort dulls urgency. Fasting wakes us up.

2. It clarifies timing. We are not home yet. We are not at the feast yet.

3. It trains watchfulness. The Groom is coming back. Fasting helps us stay ready.

4. It fuels the mission. If Jesus is returning, invitations matter.

So here is the question:

What is ONE way you need to prepare your heart for the return of Jesus?

That may mean:

• Setting aside time to pray each day

• Letting go of something that has made you spiritually sleepy

• Praying for someone specific who needs an invitation to Jesus

Be specific. Don’t just say, “I want to care more.”Name one step.

PRAY

Use this time to pray with longing and expectation. You can use prompts like:

• “Jesus, wake me up where comfort has made me sleepy.”

• “Remind me that this world is not my home.”

• “Train my heart to stay ready for Your return.”

• “Give me urgency for people who still need an invitation.”

• “Make me faithful in the waiting.”

Thank Jesus that He has prepared a place for His people.

Ask Him to help you live like the bride: alert, expectant, faithful, and ready.