It was a bright picture which the words of Christ had called up, but across it lay a heavy shadow, which His eye alone discerned. "The days will come," He said, "when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." When they should see their Lord betrayed and crucified, the disciples would mourn and fast. In His last words to them in the upper chamber, He said, "A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." John 16:19, 20.

Det var et lyst billede, som Kristi ord kaldte frem, men over det lå der en mørk skygge, som kun hans øjne skimtede. "Men der skal komme dage," sagde han, "da brudgommen er taget fra dem, og da skal de faste." Når disciplene så deres Herre forrådt og korsfæstet, så ville de sørge og faste. I sine sidste ord til dem i salen ovenpå sagde han til dem: "Om en liden stund skal I ikke se mig, og atter om en liden stund skal I se mig. Sandelig, sandelig siger jeg eder: I skal græde og klage, men verden skal glæde sig; I skal sørge, men jeres sorg skal vendes til glæde." Joh. 16,19-20.