Dental veneers are ultra-thin shells designed to cover the outer surface of teeth. They hide flaws such as severe discoloration, cracks in teeth, gaps between teeth, and misshapen teeth. It may look great on the outside, but inside the tooth remains as messy as before. Nothing has changed inside the tooth itself.
NO SPIRITUAL VENEERS IN HEAVEN
When Jesus talked with Nicodemus in John 3:1-7, He never told Nicodemus to work harder to apply a sturdier spiritual veneer. Jesus told him, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Spiritual veneers do not exist in the Kingdom of Heaven. Genuine new life can only come from the Holy Spirit’s work in an individual. Everything else is just window dressing.
In Mark 2:8-22, religious people complained to Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” This was a large sticking point. Jaren Wilson explains: “The Mosaic Law only required one regular fast. The others that occupied the Jewish calendar grew up around traditions. For devout Jews, fasting was a big deal; something they did over a hundred days a year. which became an idol for many of them (see Luke 18:12). It is possible that John’s disciples were fasting because John had either already been imprisoned or executed. They likely fasted out of mourning. How does Jesus turn all of this into a teachable moment regarding the spiritual veneers hiding the hearts of people?
PATCHING UP THE OLD DOESN’T MAKE THE NEW
Jesus used a metaphor about patching an old garment with new, unshrunk cloth. You cannot take the Gospel of Grace and use it merely to patch up an old, dead religious system. New, fermenting wine expands as it ages. If put into old, stiff, and brittle leather wineskins, the skins will burst. New wine requires fresh, flexible wineskins. Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe noted, “Jesus did not come to reform Judaism; He came to usher in something entirely new. The Gospel requires a completely new heart, a new spirit, and a new way of living that isn’t confined by traditional legalism.”
NEW LIFE BUILT FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Newness of heart, from the inside out. No spiritual veneers are acceptable to God. Christianity 101 from the mouth of Jesus is, “You must be born again”. The old system of the law did a wonderful job of convicting one of their sin and their desperate need for the Savior. To those willing to recognize their sin and repent, Jesus Christ offers an entirely new life, built from the inside out. No spiritual veneers allowed.
How did fasting relate to Christ? Jesus’ disciples weren’t going with the flow of the traditions mainly because they had nothing to grieve (yet) and no merit to glory in. They had Messiah, and having Messiah means having fullness of joy (John 15:11). Yet Jesus reminded them, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” Jesus was talking about His own imminent death. Time for grief was hurtling down the tracks.
FASTING AND BELIEVERS TODAY
How does fasting relate to born-again believers today? How can this tool help us grow closer to the Risen Savior? “The Bible presents fasting as something good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records believers fasting before making important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). The purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God” (Gotquestions.org).
Don’t rely on a religious veneer to bring you to God. Let Christ work from the inside out and make you new again.
Click for further information about fasting. Another great resource is Chandler Wiley’s message on fasting and Mark 2.