In today’s society, the word “fast” may more closely resemble the velocity at which one can wolf down their Egg McMuffin on their morning commute rather than its true meaning of “a period of refraining from eating.” Biblically speaking, a “fast” is a spiritual discipline. It is a practice which was encouraged and exercised by Jesus Himself while He was on earth. However, there is a passage in the book of Matthew that explains why Jesus’ disciples did not fast while He was on earth:
Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
Matthew 9:15Matthew 9:15
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
15 Jesus answered: The friends of a bridegroom don't go without eating while he is still with them. But the time will come when he will be taken from them. Then they will go without eating.
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Jesus was teaching that fasting would become necessary when He was taken away, no longer physically dwelling on earth. You see, while Jesus was walking the earth, His disciples enjoyed a close and deeply personal fellowship with Him. Jesus bestowed power upon them to the extent they had limited power to preach, heal the sick, and even cast out demons. Similarly, when Jesus sent His disciples out to minister to the populace, He instructed them to take few provisions.
Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or extra clothing, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied. “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”
Luke 22:35-37Luke 22:35-37
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Moneybags, Traveling Bags, and Swords 35 Jesus asked his disciples, “When I sent you out without a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals, did you need anything?” “No!” they answered. 36 Jesus told them, “But now, if you have a moneybag, take it with you. Also take a traveling bag, and if you don't have a sword, b moneybag ... traveling bag ... sword: These were things that someone would take on a dangerous journey. Jesus was telling his disciples to be ready for anything that might happen. They seem to have understood what he meant . sell some of your clothes and buy one. 37 . Do this because the Scriptures say, ‘He was considered a criminal.’ This was written about me, and it will soon come true.”
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Jesus was instructing His disciples that after His departure, there were be a complete dynamic change and His disciples would need a different form of preparation and provision. Fasting was to be a vital part of this new preparation, along with several other spiritual disciplines, many of which we’re looking at this week. The New Testament, or new covenant, is based on the truth that we have received everything in Christ. Ephesians 1:3Ephesians 1:3
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Christ Brings Spiritual Blessings
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven!
WP-Bible plugin says, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” And though Jesus is no longer walking the earth “in the flesh” per se, we remain connected to Him through the power of His Holy Spirit. Jesus lives in us, manifesting His power through His Spirit that dwells in our hearts and lives as we cooperate with Him through meditating on His Word (the Bible), prayer, obedience, and other spiritual disciplines. Fasting is another one of those disciplines.
Biblical fasting, unlike dieting or abstaining from foods for medical purposes, must be done in an attitude of seriousness, sincerity, and humility. When we fast, we voluntarily deprive our bodies of nourishment and the pleasurable taste of food (and often most beverages) so that in our hunger, we can focus on God being the Source of our strength during our period of fasting. In short, fasting helps us re-focus. It reminds us of where our sufficiency lies, in Christ, and is intended to draw us closer to Him and His direction for our lives. It is also not necessary for others to know when we are fasting, which is part of the humility aspect. Our fasting is directed toward God, not others.
“But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who know what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:17-18Matthew 6:17-18
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
17 . Instead, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then others won't know that you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you.
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In addition to our sincere and humble posture while fasting, we must also check our motives. We should fast in order to further the building up of God’s Kingdom, to sincerely focus on God and His will for our lives, and to demonstrate our dependence on God for everything. (Isaiah 58:6-7Isaiah 58:6-7
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
6 I'll tell you
what it really means
to worship the Lord.
Remove the chains of prisoners
who are chained unjustly.
Free those who are abused!
7 . Share your food with everyone
who is hungry;
share your home
with the poor and homeless.
Give clothes to those in need;
don't turn away your relatives.
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Fasts may last for various lengths – one day, three days, seven days, or longer. We should prayerfully consider the length of our fast prior to beginning. There should be an object in mind for the process as well. We should have a clear idea for the need and purpose. One of the most pressing needs for Christian fasting may be revival, a renewal of individual and corporate commitment to God and His Kingdom. (Psalm 85:6Psalm 85:6
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
6 Won't you give us fresh life
and let your people be glad
because of you?
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Biblical fasting brings us into a closer union with God. While our bodies are being deprived for the purpose of drawing close to God, He has promised in return to draw nearer to us. (James 4:8James 4:8
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind.
WP-Bible plugin) This is a spiritual certainty! We must decrease and God must increase in our lives (John 3:30John 3:30
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
30 Jesus must become more important, while I become less important.
WP-Bible plugin). Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:162 Corinthians 4:16
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Faith in the Lord
16 We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day.
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Wicked, ungodly kings, destined for destruction, received mercy for humbling themselves before God and fasting. (1 Kings 21:291 Kings 21:29
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
WP-Bible plugin) The entire city of Nineveh fasted upon hearing the pronouncement of judgment from the prophet Jonah- and God spared them. (Jonah 3:10Jonah 3:10
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
10 When God saw that the people had stopped doing evil things, he had pity and did not destroy them as he had planned.
WP-Bible plugin) Jesus received divine preparation for His earthly ministry while fasting and enduring temptation. (Matthew 4)
While we await the return of our Savior, fasting exemplifies our attitude of spiritual hunger-the promise is that we will be satisfied! “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6Matthew 5:6
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
6 God blesses those people
who want to obey him s who want to obey him: Or “who want to do right” or “who want everyone to be treated right.”
more than to eat or drink.
They will be given
what they want!
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And, just in case you aren’t aware of its etymology, the traditional first meal of the day, “breakfast,” is so named because it is often the meal used to break a period of fasting, whether a simple overnight period of not eating, or a longer, spiritual abstaining from physical nourishment. Hence our word, ”breakfast” or “break-fast.” I wonder how many people stop to think about the spiritual meaning behind a common word they use virtually everyday?
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