NOTES for Luk 5:33-39
In the Lord Jesus' answer to the question of why His disciples do not fast, unlike John's disciples and the Pharisees, it is essential for us that the Lord does not reject the means of spiritual life mentioned in the question, but neither does He give them decisive importance. His words about the sons of the bridal chamber clearly show that the means occupy a subordinate place in relation to the goal. Translating His example into modern language, one might say that it is pointless to buy a modem if you are already connected and working online. Why should the sons of the bridal chamber fast when the bridegroom is with them? But when the Bridegroom is taken away from them, then those means that help us meet Him again will be absolutely necessary.
Both possible illusions here are characteristic of human psychology: exaggerating the importance of the means of spiritual life in comparison with the goal, and neglecting them. In the first case we create a ritual religion with many petty prescriptions and no visible object of worship. In the second case we soar in thought into the invisible, losing ourselves as subjects of worship. In both cases, a real encounter with God becomes at least difficult. What the Lord speaks of is a difficult path, but unlike the ones described, it is realistic and real.