What is Christianity? – Luke 5:33-35

In this message we will see why Christianity is different and unique from other religions. Jesus uses fasting as the wedge to make a broader point about Christianity and to show that is not like the religions of men.
First, in Luke 5:30, the Pharisees and scribes complained behind Jesus’ back to his disciples about how Jesus himself eats with the sinners. Now, in Luke 5:33-35 they attack Jesus directly, accusing him and his disciples of eating and drinking and not fast. This bothered them because according to the centuries of Jewish religious tradition, the way to be righteous was to fast and pray and it was to them a means of salvation.

We must note that Jesus never condemns fasting. The Bible supports fasting and has numerous examples, such as Nehemiah 1:4, Esther 4:16, and Acts 13:2-3. Jesus also fasted for 40 days in the wilderness (Mt4:2). In general, fasting is a good means to fight against the temptations of the flesh. Jesus does not condemn fasting in this passage but said there’s a moment for it.

To focus on fasting in this passage is missing the point. Jesus is not concerned with fasting. The point Jesus is making is that Christianity is internal, not external. True Christianity is about character, who’s on the inside, not what happens on the outside. Christianity is all about Christ.

We can see this because Christianity starts internally not externally. First, God looks at the heart, not  your outward appearance or actions. This is where true religion begins, in the heart. Saul versus David is an example of the external versus the internal. Saul was a tall and handsome man on the outside, very much like the kings of the world, while David was a man of a righteous heart (1Sa9:2;1Sa16:6-7) 

The accusation that is made against Jesus is based on an external observation. It actually reveals the heart of the accuser, that they measure righteousness externally. But the disciples of Christ were merely responding based on the joy in their heart, for it is after a sinner repents, like what happened to the lame man and to Matthew the tax collector, that there is joy. There is a stark contrast between before and after repentance. God, the Holy Spirit works in our heart and we are changed completely (Ti3:5).

After repentance, Christ starts living in us and there is a joy and satisfaction in Christ because there is no more condemnation! (2Cor13:5, Ro8:1) This joy is different from the world’s shallow and temporary joy. We have a joy because Christ is in us, an inward joy that displays in our lives. This is why they were eating and drinking with Jesus, the one who saved them (Eph 2:1, Ro8:10). On the other hand, the Pharisees thought their righteousness and life came from their deeds of fasting and praying. True Christianity is a righteous life from within made righteous by the life Christ (2Cor4:16). Every other religion is based on externalism while Christianity is based on the divine accomplishment of Christ and the inward salvation. This is why Christianity is unique.

Christianity is a joyous religion (Ac2:13, Ac8:39). ‘You cannot make the make the attendants of the groom fast… can you? It’s a rhetorical question with the obvious answer of no. Jesus is saying it’s obviously impossible to force someone to fast on such a joyous occasion of a wedding. Israel’s relationship with God is a marriage. God rejoices over his people, his bride (Is62:4-5). Even Jesus’ first miracle is at a wedding where he turned water into wine, which in a way is a metaphor of turning a dead joyous religion (water) into a good and wonderful life (wine).
Also the source of your joy defines the type and quality of that joy. Sinners rejoice in sin so their joy is wicked and fleeting. The source of Christian joy is Jesus, who saves us out of the wilderness (Mt18:12). Jesus emphasized above even miracles that we rejoice that our names are recorded in heaven (Lk10:20). Being saved is the chief joy in this world. It is the joy that satisfies completely. If you are not satisfied with salvation then nothing can or will satisfy you since it is God’s greatest blessing and grace. This is our homework as a Christian: to find our joy in Christ. We worry sometimes, about money or health or other worldly things, but we should not worry if Christ is truly our joy (Ro8:31-32).

This joy is realized because Jesus is with us. It’s funny, as Christ was leaving the disciples, He said I’m with you always (Mt28:20). The answer is Jesus sends the Holy Spirit (Jn14:18;Jn 16:7,14). The question for us is, do you have the Holy Spirit in your heart? (1Cor3:16;Rom 8:9) Without the Holy Spirit, you are not a Christian. If the Holy Spirit is in you, then walk by the Spirit and as you walk by the Spirit, you will bear His fruit which is love and joy. True spiritual joy is this close intimate relationship with God.

Ultimately, Christianity is nothing but Jesus Christ. Other religions rely on their works (Lk18:13) but Christianity is based on Jesus Christ, the cornerstone (Eph2:20). Jesus is the truth we acknowledge and believe. Christianity is not the building or programs, but Christianity is a person and that person is Jesus, who He is and what He has done. We are witnesses of Christ, not a religion (Ac1:8).

As a true Christian, Jesus will never be taken from you, but there might be a season in your life where Christ is distant, when the intimacy is gone. This is the recommended time to fast. Sometimes, we forget Christ’s words and act like Mary who was in despair (Lk24:5). This is something Christians practice by acting like Jesus is dead when He is alive. We worry, we have anxiety, we have worldly desires and stumble under the circumstances, forgetting that Jesus is alive and reigning sovereign over all things. We must be like Apostle Paul who asserted Jesus to be alive (Acts 25:19). Christian, you must continually be living in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and trusting in the will of God. This is the beacon of joy and hope for you. However if the resurrection does not encourage you or help you overcome your situation, then you must fast. Fast to remember Christ who is with you.

Christianity is internal, full of joy and all about Jesus Christ. This is the heart of true Christianity and why Christianity is unique.