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Simply mention the word “fasting” and most people will conjure up images of giving up food, depriving oneself of something vital, or otherwise sacrificing something. The word “fasting” in secular usage has only the meaning of abstaining from food and/or drink, and that is what most Christians understand it to mean as well.
Furthermore, I have encountered many people that fast as a religious observance, because they are trying to “get God’s attention” – although not everyone will readily admit that. In our discussions, when I have asked them why they were fasting, it has always boiled down to the core of either wanting an answer to prayer or wanting to be closer to God – and while these may seem like holy and righteous reasons, I have had to tell them the honest truth, that nothing they could ever do, will ever make them closer to God than what Jesus did over 2,000 years ago on the cross. No sacrifice that we can make today, can ever make us closer to God than the one offered by His Son all those years ago. And most of these people were offended at that statement.
What I want to share with you today, is the portrait of true fasting. Not what man thinks fasting is, but instead what God says fasting is, and the type of fasting that He actually wants. And I believe that by the end of our study today, many chains will be broken, and many burdens lifted, because it is the truth of Jesus Christ that will make us free, and that includes His truth regarding fasting as well.
First, the foundation, which must always be Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. As I said, I have discussed fasting with a number of people, all of whom are fasting either to get God’s attention, or to become closer to Him. They think that fasting somehow increases their holiness, or their righteousness, or that it makes them more acceptable to Him. And it is absolutely vital that we understand these ideas to be erroneous. Fasting (or indeed any work or sacrifice) can never make us more righteous, or more holy, or more acceptable, or even closer to God in any way. That statement is absolutely crushing to the pride of man, but the reasons why are completely foundation to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice has already made you as close to God as you ever could be. In-fact you are one with Christ according to 1st Corinthians 6:17 and John 17:22-23.
Secondly, no amount of fasting (or any work or sacrifice) can ever make you more righteous or holy than the sacrifice of Jesus Himself. Jesus is your righteousness, and your sanctification (holiness) according to 1st Corinthians 1:30. Also Hebrews 10:10 says that we are sanctified (made holy) by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once. This sanctification is not a process, nor is it something that you need to maintain through works or efforts or sacrifices of yourself. This sanctification was obtained through the offering of Jesus Christ on the cross, and it was done once for all. So you are holy because of Him, not because of any works of yourself. Likewise you are righteous because of His sacrifice for you as well. 2nd Corinthians 5:21 states very plainly that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Now this is the very righteousness of God, this is not of yourself, this is of God and it comes from being in Christ… not from your works, your sacrifices or your fasting.
Thirdly, no amount of fasting (or any work or sacrifice) can ever make you more acceptable to God than what Jesus has already done. Ephesians 1:6 states that you are accepted in the Beloved. Your acceptance with God rests solely on the fact that you are in Christ Jesus. You cannot work for it, earn it, or sacrifice to get it, or add to it in any way.
These are the basic three foundational pillars if-you-will, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so if you have any issues with these, then I would humbly submit that your issue really isn’t with fasting, but your issue is with the Gospel message itself, because all that I did so far was read some basic facts directly from the Bible, regarding how it is not about your work, your merit, your sacrificing, or even your fasting, but it is all about Jesus Christ alone. If you don’t believe that… then you don’t really believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So with that said, let’s now examine fasting itself. And again there’s no better place to start then with Jesus Himself. In Matthew chapter 4, it is mentioned that Jesus fasts for forty days and forty nights. Now this is believed to be a full fast of abstinence from all forms of food because verse 2 mentions that afterwards Jesus was hungry. Now here is the point: this fast was never meant as an example for us to follow. This fast actually had a very clear and specific purpose, which was mentioned in verse 1, let’s read it together, Matthew 4:1:
“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”
This was the specific purpose of Jesus’ excursion into the wilderness and of His forty day and night fast as well. This was not meant as a guide for us to follow, but as a temptation and test of the devil, which was ultimately turned into an establishment of Jesus’ perfect divinity!
But as always, you do not need to take my word for it, the scriptures themselves testify to this fact.
In Matthew 9:14-15, some disciples of John ask Jesus why His disciples do not fast! If Jesus’ fasting was to be an example for living, then His disciples certainly would be fasting already! However Jesus response in verse 15 was this:
“And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridal chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.”
Jesus’ response gives us some vital information here. First that fasting is typically connected with mourning. And indeed, we can see this thread all the way through the Old Covenant writings in general: Daniel, 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings, Judges, Psalms, Nehemiah, Esther, all contain references to fasting as a sign of sorrow and mourning – which is why Jesus made the reference here. And He says How can they mourn, when the bridegroom is with them?
It would be flat-out weird for a bride to mourn when her groom is with her. Jesus then goes on to say that a time will come when the groom will be taken away and then they will fast in mourning. This happened when Jesus was crucified, but believe me, that mourning did not last for very long! For now as we have already read today, we are one with Christ, forever! Jesus even says Himself in Matthew 28:20 that He is with us always. This is not a time of mourning or sorrow, but a time of rejoicing! Jesus is alive! And He is with us forever!
So what then is true fasting in the light of Jesus Christ? Well, it’s a bit ironic, but the answer is actually found in the writings of the Old Covenant, because it is there where God gives His description of what proper fasting is. Where most people get tripped-up is that they read the Old Covenant writings still under the veil of Moses (as mentioned in 2nd Corinthians 3:15), however when read in the light of Jesus, it makes perfect sense. And those of you who know me, know that I love to say that the entire Bible is about Jesus, and He can be seen in every area of scripture. So turn with me to Isaiah 58:5-7:
“Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh?”
In verse 5, God asks a pointed question: Did I choose this type of fast? Did I choose a day for a man to afflict his soul? Did I choose for a man to bow his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes? Will you really call this acceptable?
The fact that God Himself is saying this and asking this question, should make all of us take a long and honest look at our modern practice of fasting. Because if God isn’t happy with it, and He doesn’t want it, why would we hang onto it?
In verses 6 and 7, God outlines the type of fast that He actually wants, and honestly, it looks nothing like what we typically call a “fast” today.
To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free. To break every yoke of bondage. To share your bread with the hungry, and to bring the poor to your house. To clothe the naked and do not separate yourself from your fellow man.
You see, God never desired a fast that “afflicts men’s souls” or a time of mourning, but instead as He points out in verses 6 and 7, true fasting is a time of generosity, a time that breaks bondages and chains (and doesn’t add man-made ones) a time not to abstain from food, but to instead, share your abundance with the hungry and needy, and not to separate yourself.
This is 180 degrees from what churches do today and the way that people fast. I don’t think that anyone would even mind fasting in the slightest, if it was what God outlined in these verses. And I will take it one step further and say that this fast which God outlined here, is quite natural and even effortless for every single person who is in Christ. Because honestly, Christ has indeed broken every yoke and chain and set the captives free (Luke 4:18).
My friend, I want to encourage you today, that as you receive this truth about fasting straight from God’s own mouth, you will most likely come (as I have) to realize that you have been fasting truly (the way God wants) without even realizing it. Even spiritually, every time you share Christ with someone, you are most certainly setting captives free, breaking bondages, and undoing chains. And that there is also no reason to ever mourn, because Jesus is always with you!
Our fast in Christ Jesus today, is not one of abstaining and mourning, but actually feasting every moment on the His Grace, and of pure joy in Him.
The life of Grace in Christ is a continual feast and true fasting not as they did under the Law of Moses, but an outpouring of the love which we receive from God every single day. So relax and feast of Jesus, and the true fasting will be natural, effortless and full of joy.
Be blessed.