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What Happens During A Fast?
Part 4
By Lily An-Kim

FASTING & THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do… and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  - Matthew 6:16a, 18b

Fasting is a soul's lone journey, the value of which Jesus taught his disciples.  Christ, the divine Son of Man, had already modeled this for us when saying,  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  (Matthew 5:6)  To seek first God's kingdom is a pursuit involving the difficult shedding of one's will, which the true servant of Christ is capable of doing in, and for, God's Spirit.

Will we then do the very thing that the Lord calls us to—sharing in some meager way in His sufferings, so as to attain to resurrection-power and the Life?

Let us first consider a vision of the journey of faith that our forebears traveled and the life to which Christ inspires us in the Gospel of Matthew.

VISION OF THE FAST

Walking down the narrow path of stairs, the passageway seems to twist and turn in the daylight--with sandstone walls to obscure the unknown destination that lies ahead.   The final bend in the road leads to the shore of a gleaming river.   At its edge awaits a boat without oars… ready to glide and carry the sojourner to the other side of the river, which is clouded with radiant, heavenly light.

Likewise, our path's end during the fast can seem obscured as we traverse, so that we must walk "by faith not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7)  Even once the River of Life comes into sight, we must yet act by faith by stepping into the Vessel, in whom we become predestined to glory.  Thus, whether it is clear to us or not, we fast with a purpose—knowing that Christ, who is our Vessel, is waiting to carry us to our journey's end.  At each step of the adventure, we trust that we are seen and not alone.

God is calling us to a new life, for which the faithful must persevere in order to "work out" our salvation.  Our destination is glory both on earth as it is in heaven, but only Christ can lift us there; in our deeds we are mindful of this.  The kingdom of God is readily available on the other side (but only the "forceful" lay hold of it--Matthew 11:12 ).

MATTHEAN ETHIC OF FASTING

Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?  The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast." -Matthew 9:15

Jesus' words in Matthew 9:15 assume that we as God's people will fast/ mourn when He our Bridegroom is taken from us. 

Do we mourn in the flesh for the fullness of Christ's presence?   (– Come, Lord Jesus.)

Immediately after the message on fasting, Jesus exhorted his followers that His spiritual new wine must be poured into "new wineskins" (Matthew 9:17 ).  This ethic of Christ binds fasting and the preparation of our earthly bodies for life in the Holy Spirit, so that "both are preserved." (v. 17b)   In doing this, then, we also imitate the Apostle Paul, who "beat" his body into submission in order to win the prize of Christ.  (I Corinthians 9:27)

Have we prepared ourselves as "new wineskins" for Christ?

God will meet us in our fast when it is coupled with love of Him for the fruit of the Spirit.

OUR DAILY PRAYER

"…your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  This, then, is how you should pray:  (Matthew 6:8b,9 ff.)

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…

  -  You are my Source and my great Reward

Your kingdom come…

  - as I prepare the way for you

Your will be done…

  - please work in me to will and to act accordingly

on earth as it is in heaven…

  - in and through my life, Lord.

Give us today our daily bread…

  - O Bread of Life, may your Word dwell richly within

Forgive us our debts…

  - convicting and sanctifying me by your Spirit

as we also have forgiven our debtors…

  - in so doing help me to follow your example, Lord.

And lead us not into temptation…

  - for You know my weaknesses better than I

but deliver us from the evil one…"

  - that I may know you as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Amen.

Part 5 of this series is now available.