When You Fast

Read Matthew 6:1-18

      “When you fast,” Jesus says.  It isn’t exactly a command to fast, but we don’t want to be looking for loopholes, do we?  Jesus clearly assumes that his followers will fast – that there will be times when they will deny themselves food or other legitimate things for spiritual purposes as a part of their living before God. 

      One well-known preacher has said that he is tired of people saying that religion doesn’t work.  “Whoever says that,” he says, “has never fasted for three days to rid themselves of a particular sin.”  Fasting teaches us that we need not be slaves to our physical appetites.  It teaches the flesh that it is not in charge.  It expresses and validates a seriousness about spiritual life.  Jesus assumes that we will fast.

      But what if a health problem makes fasting dangerous?  That’s easy.  Fast from certain foods – and not something you don’t eat and don’t enjoy normally.  Better yet, fast from media for a full day – no computer, no television, no radio, and no social media.

      Jesus expects us to fast – he just warns us not to do it so that others will notice and be impressed.  Keep it between yourself and God.  He will notice, and reward.