Fasting
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days.”
I’m sure glad God has a sense of humor. I thought to myself before writing today that I will finish this article on fasting in time to go to Subway! Fasting. What comes to your mind when this word is read, mentioned, or thought? It’s not something very popular; that’s for sure.
Jesus fasted for forty days. Why? Was it to mirror Moses’ fasting on Mount Sinai when he received the Ten Commandments? Was Jesus’ fasting a total dependence upon the power of the Spirit in His weakness... that at His weakest He still defeated the devil’s temptations? Was His fasting a personal dedication to do the Father’s will? Perhaps yes to all these questions!
Obviously, since the forty days of Lent commemorates Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, the spiritual discipline of fasting is magnified at this season of Lent. But fasting in most circles has come on hard times. Perhaps it always has. A pastor friend reminded me of a quote by Thomas Acquinas of the Middle Ages: “Everyone joins Christ at the banqueting table; but few join Him in fasting.”
What does fasting mean to us? I agree with Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Redding, when he said in a message: “Fasting is not a hunger strike to get God’s attention!” But what does fasting mean or imply? I’m not sure this brief devotional has space to explore all the implications. But let me suggest simply this: sacrifice. When I go without food, I’m sacrificing that for something else: time spent in prayer. When I sacrifice watching TV for an hour, I’m sacrificing that for an hour of prayer or scripture reading. Perhaps when we fast, we realize our power is not our personality or physical strength; it’s His strength!
A friend encourages his church to “fast” social media for a week. Think of that... social media. No Facebook, YouTube, perhaps News apps, Instagram, videos, or maybe emails? Are you kidding me? It would be easier to go without coffee for a week!
What does “sacrifice” mean to me, to you, during this season of Lent? I encourage all of us to ask Jesus: “What could I sacrifice for Your glory during this season that might become a habit of my heart?”
Blessings,
Pastor Ross
