As we open our lesson today, we see a conflict brewing. Actually there are two conflicts. Let's label them "the fast" and "the past." Let's deal first of all with the fast.

When our lesson opens, the Pharisees and even the disciples of John the Baptist are fasting. Jesus and his disciples are not. To the casual spectator it might appear that Jesus is not paying proper tribute to his faith. Other religious people are fasting. He refuses. What gives with him anyway?

We need to know that Jesus practiced fasting. However, the law of Moses required only one day of the calendar year as a fast day. You and I know this day as Yom Kippur--the Day of Atonement.

The Pharisees, in order to show their neighbors how zealous they were--and to demonstrate their piety--observed many more days of fasting…