Fast

Fast (by David Peterson)

While still on the mountain for His first sermon, Jesus states in Matthew 6:16-18; “Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Lord Jesus is telling us that God sees all and that is the only really important aspect of anything we mere mortals do. Fasting can be a part of someone’s spiritual life and is associated with both prayer and discerning God’s will for us.

The wise Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once wrote this about fasting; “Fasting, if we conceive of it truly, must not … be confined to the question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose. There are many bodily functions which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled. That is fasting.”

Lloyd-Jones believed that Jesus assumed that people of His day, followers of Himself, would have fasted. This exercise would focus on turning one’s attention to Jesus and strengthening our belief and faith in Him. In this way, according to Lloyd-Jones, “we are awakened to see fasting for the joy it can bring.”

“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” is a hymn written by Claudia Frances Hernaman in 1873. It describes the hardship Jesus endured while he was tempted in the desert. The first stanza reads:

Lord, who throughout these forty days,

For us did fast and pray,

Teach us with you to mourn our sins,

And close by you to stay.

Hernaman reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice and His example for us regarding fasting.

Let us pray: Risen Savior, teach us to deny ourselves and all of our earthly passions so that we may follow you more clearly. Teach us to fast in order that we focus on You and our developing relationship. Amen.