Lent and Fasting
We begin this series on the cross and resurrection, as we prepare our hearts for Good Friday and Easter. Joshua shares about Lent and the practice of fasting during this period.
I remember in university I once had a really difficult assignment. I had worked on it quite studiously throughout the semester, however the due date was approaching and I still hadn’t completed it. I struggled with this particular subject and I remember on the day of submission I was so focused on trying to complete the assignment that I didn’t eat any meals.
That particular day I completely lost track of time and forgot to eat. I remember not even feeling hungry because I was so determined to finish my assignment.
Food is such an essential part of life that when we do forgo it, it is usually for something important. Fasting intentionally in the Bible is always meant to be meaningful and with purpose.
So what is Lent?
Easter is quickly approaching and we are currently in the season of Lent. Lent is the period of 40 days before Good Friday which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. Lent 2022 begins on Wednesday, 2 March and ends on Thursday, 14 April. Good Friday, then is on 15 April while Easter Sunday is on 17 April.
Traditionally, Lent is observed as a time of prayer, fasting and alms giving in order to commemorate Jesus's 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting with the intention of drawing themselves nearer to God.
PURPOSE OF FASTING
So should we fast? Let me first state that our salvation is based solely on faith in Jesus Christ alone. Our salvation is a gift from God and rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, not based on any works that we may do. Our righteousness is based on Christ’s righteousness and we cannot be righteous by our own efforts.
The practice of fasting has no bearing on our salvation nor does it affect our standing before God. The only way that we are right with God is through faith in Jesus Christ’s saving work on the cross.
Therefore fasting is not compulsory, and we shouldn’t think that we have to fast to be saved. However, fasting when it happens in the Bible comes with certain heart attitudes towards God. Even though we don’t have to fast, I do think we can at least explore the motivations behind fasting and in turn consider applying these motivations to our hearts during this season of Lent.
Fasting to depend on God
A reason for fasting is to remember our dependence on God.
Without a basic necessity like food, we quickly realise our limits as created beings. What usually accompanies fasting? Prayer. Prayer accompanies fasting because fasting highlights our dependence on the Life-giver, God. We fast and pray because we are needy. We need God because we cannot live the life He desires for us in our own strength.
"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
(Matt 4:4, c.f. Deut 8:3)
When Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness, He relied on God and His Word to battle Satan’s temptations. Jesus sets the example that we need to depend on God for life even more than food.
Fasting to fuel longing
Another reason in the Bible to fast is to mourn the fallenness of this world and express a deep longing for Jesus’s return.
During Jesus’s ministry when He was questioned about His disciples not fasting, He stated that when He is taken away (after he dies and ascends to the Father) His disciples will fast. The context for fasting in this case was yearning for the bridegroom and a deep longing for his return.
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."
(Matt 9:14-15)
This is fasting with a heart attitude that says “I long for your return, come soon Lord Jesus”. When we don’t have food, it helps us to have an added intensity of our fallen state and our desire for Jesus. In the midst of this world with wars and pandemics raging, and all kinds of suffering, we want to see Jesus come back to take us home to be with Him in heaven. One motivation for fasting is asking and pleading for Jesus to come back.
Fasting to grieve over sin and express repentance
A third reason to fast is to grieve over our sins and express repentance.
In the Bible, when people realise their deep and prolonged rebellion and sin, they fast and seek forgiveness from God.
For example, when both the Ninevites (Jonah 3:4-9) and the Israelites (1 Sam 7:3-6) realised their sin towards God, they repented and fasted. In their fasting they pleaded for God to forgive them and relent from judgment.
When was the last time you really grieved over your sins? When was the last time you pleaded for God’s forgiveness?
What can we do this Lent?
In this season of lent, these are all good reasons to fast, however what is more important in fasting is where our hearts are before God. This Lent let’s pray:
For a healthy dependence on God as we remember Jesus’s death and resurrection as our only means of salvation.
For deep longing for Jesus to come back soon to this fallen world.
That God will help us to repent of our sins and ask for his forgiveness in Jesus Christ.