LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 9:14: Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”

This is a rather interesting question because John the Baptist denounced the Pharisees and the Pharisees did not accept the teachings of John the Baptist. Yet, here they agree about fasting. “According to the law, the Jews were required to fast only one day each year: the Day of Atonement. The Pharisees, however, had extended the law to require twice-weekly fasts. Jesus and His disciples did not follow their fasting rules, and John’s disciples wanted to know why” (David Jeremiah Study Bible).  Pastor Ed Newton answered this by referring to Jesus’ statement about fasting being inappropriate to fast during a wedding feast because the groom was still with them. “John the Baptist had already announced that Jesus was the Bridegroom and when the Bridegroom is present the people celebrate. Soon the Bridegroom would be taken away and then the people would mourn and fast” (DJSB).

Pastor Newton said, People fast because “they want to be in His presence and want His return to happen”. Believers are called to fast. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, “When you fast” Matthew 6:16); He did not say “if” but said “when”. Pastor Newton made it clear that fasting is not done to get a new ____ from God. Nor is about showing others that you are fasting. The Pharisees would show they were fasting with gloomy faces; they wanted others to see how religious, how pious they were because they were following their rules about fasting.  They will receive their reward by being seen by appearing devout. Their efforts were about bringing attention to themselves and not to God.  No, that’s not what fasting is about!

Believers are to fast without announcing to everyone. You might tell someone without announcing it to everyone else to see. Jesus said, “do not appear to be fasting, go into your secret place; and your Father, who sees in secret will reward you openly”. Fasting is not to be motivated by the praise of others. Notice that Jesus made the same statement about prayer in Matthew 6:6! The Father is watching what His faithful do in secret, when they honor Him in and from their hearts – when no one else knows what they are doing. Fasting and prayer are about pleasing Him, drawing closer to Him, being in His presence and He is the only One who needs to know! Except, He rewards openly what His followers do in private!

January 6 begins the challenge at Community Bible Church (and also at NorthRock Church) 21-days of fasting and prayer. It is a time of giving up something of value to the person fasting in order to replace it with a closer walk with Jesus, to walk closer with Him on the narrow way into His kingdom. It is allowing Him to change the Believer and to draw each one closer into the will of God. It is to allow Him to deal with whatever is holding one back from being who He wants him/her to be. 1 Corinthians 6:12 refers to this, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (from the Listener Guide). The apostle Paul was writing to encourage the Corinthians – and Believers today – to understand “Christian liberty” is not an excuse to do whatever they wanted. Prayer and fasting, a time of earnestly seeking God’s presence and His will in the Believer’s life, is a time to remove anything that is keeping the Believer from following Jesus as He desires and demands. It is spending time with Him, seeking Him and hearing from Him (from the Listener Guide).

May I encourage each of you who reads this to join me in a time of prayer and giving up something in your life to seek something and Someone greater than you or what you give up! The takeaway from Pastor Newton’s message is my desire for the days ahead. “Your circumstances may or may not change, but you will never be the same.”