Living a 220 life

What is fasting all about?

May 24, 2009 on 11:17 am | In Fasting, humility | No Comments

“Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.” (Mark 2:18-20)

Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to fast, however, beginning at the time of the Judges we see people, including Jesus, fasting all throughout scripture. Though we’re not commanded to do it, Jesus’ example should immediately draw our attention to the fact that we should do it. So what is this fasting thing all about? What’s the point behind it? Does God really care if I starve myself for a time? Well, let’s look.

Fasting in Biblical practice is the abstinence from food and/or water for a time. (Modern practice by some has also incorporated the abstinence from other items such as T.V., video games, magazines, etc.) Food and water are important because they’re life sustaining items in a physical sense. Our earthly bodies can’t survive without these two items. Therefore, the abstinence from these items could potentially be fatal dependent upon the time of abstention. In a physical sense alone fasting then seems like a method for suicide. However, fasting isn’t physical alone…

Fasting has a spiritual side as well. We recognize that every good gift (food and water) comes from our Father above. Without the Fathers interaction in this world not one of us would be alive nor could we sustain life without His continued interaction with us. The two elements food and water implicitly draw our attention to the Fathers interaction in our lives. These elements identify that we come from another place yet we need a constant life support from that other place in order to continue to live here.

Fasting is therefore a physical recognition of our ultimate dependence upon the Father for all things. It’s a way for us to bring the spiritual into a physical reality in our lives. If you’ve ever attempted to fast for more than a day you know it’s not easy. Why? It’s not easy because by abstaining from food and water we are taking the first step toward our own physical death. When we fast we are denying our own flesh to recognize our dependence upon our Father in heaven. We fast to bring a physical dimension to our spiritual lives.

My friends, if you’ve never practiced the spiritual discipline of fasting let me encourage you. Spending time in prayer and fasting is a great way to move your relationship with Jesus to the next level. Start with one day and then move to two days and eventually work your way up to a time the Lord lays on your heart. Again, fasting isn’t commanded in scripture so your practice of this discipline should be completely out of a desire to grow closer to Jesus. Humble yourself before the Lord and spend time in prayer and fasting. AMEN!