The Sacrifice of Fasting

Stewed pork, curried goat, roast beef, lamb chops, chocolate cake, cheese pies, baked fish, ice cream…need I go on?

It is Lent. That time when we give up foods we love for a period of time. Some perform a partial fast, giving up just the treats they believe they can’t live without, while others go in for the long haul. Both however, feel like it’s never-ending and as we deny ourselves of food, we think, “I’ll never do this again.”

It may seem as though it’s taking a toll on your body, and it is but certainly not in the way you may think. When you fast, your body devours stored fat and those unwanted toxins and leaves behind all the good tissue which proves beneficial, but you must be certain of God’s direction concerning fasting.

You see, fasting is a personal sacrifice because it involves you. You may be called or encouraged or feel compelled to fast from outside influences, but it is still a personal decision that must be made after you have prayed about it. Even during Lent, when you are expected to fast, you must seek the Lord’s direction for yourself, after all, Jesus Himself spoke of fasting.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)

Here, in this passage, Jesus warns against making the act of fasting a showing off of your piety. Fasting is to be to God, and not to impress your fellow human beings. Jesus approved of fasting but only if it was out of one’s honest intention, and an expression of faithful devotion.

Unlike the Old Testament, which is filled with occasions of fasting, the Gospels record only two instances where Jesus spoke of fasting: Matthew 6:16-18 above and in Matthew 9:14-17.

In the latter, Jesus was questioned by disciples of John the Baptist. They asked,

“How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (NIV)

Jesus’ response is worthy of note,

“When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to exercise moderation, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!” He went on, “No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don’t put your wine in cracked bottles.” (MSG)

Jesus explained to them that fasting, seen as a sign of mourning (especially in Old Testament accounts) would be inconsistent with the celebratory mood of those who know Him and recognize that “Thy Kingdom come”; after He is taken away, that will be a time of mourning for His disciples. Jesus then continues, via parables, to show that fasting, though customary to old observances was not congruous with the new Son-sets-you-free era. This new covenant with Him and through Him would have new forms of its own.  

These New Covenant references to fasting can be found in Acts 13:2-3, 10:30 (KJV), 14:23, and the involuntary fasting of Apostle Paul inferred in 2 Corinthians 6:5 and 11:27.

In Luke 2:37 we are told that the prophet, Anna, “never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” and in chapter 18 of the same Gospel, we are told of a religious leader, while comparing himself to an abhorred tax collector, included in his prayer to God, says, “I fast twice a week” 

The references to fasting in these two instances, show that it was customary with those living a religious lifestyle.

Religious fasting is performed as a sign of mourning sin without true remorse for sin. Religious fasting is performed with the hope of deprecating God’s wrath. Religious fasting is done in an effort to receive God’s compassion. Religious fasting is empty, a vacuous attempt at sacrifice that amounts to much of nothing. God is not interested in that; He is unmoved by that pretence.

Fasting is a God-designed sacrifice of a deeply spiritual nature. 

Fasting is a spiritual sacrifice that impacts your physical existence. The sacrifice of fasting is imperative so that the spiritual has control over the physical and not the other way round.

Fasting, done properly and with pure intentions, enables you to focus on higher things, it helps you to set your affections on things above; it lets heaven fill your thoughts so that your mind is not consumed by things here on earth (read Colossians 3:1-2).

The sacrifice of fasting gives you a new perspective, it reveals the wonders of God’s Kingdom, opening portals to heavenly realms which would not be possible to open otherwise.

The sacrifice of fasting strengthens our relationship with God.

The sacrifice of fasting breaks barriers, enables glorious victories, produces long-awaited restoration, can change lives – yours and your loved ones – can even change the fate of an entire nation (read Esther 4:1-3, 15-17 and 9:31-32; Jonah 3:5)

Beloved, fasting as a sacrifice is not something to treat with frivolously; it’s not to be a superficial Cain-like offering to God. And it is certainly not a means for you to be seen by others as a super spiritual Christian. So, do not fast simply for show. Don’t just abstain from eating and drinking with no genuine intent, but offer your whole self as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (read Romans 12:1) – this is the crucial sacrifice which we are all called to and must continue forever.

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “The Sacrifice of Fasting” © March 22, 2025