fasting – Be Still…

Mark 2:18-3:6 – Draw Close to God

Fasting has become quite a fad these days in the health and wellness space. But what those gurus describe is a lot different than the fasting referred to in this passage. In a Biblical context, fasting is a spiritual discipline designed to draw people closer to God and God’s will for their lives. Jesus’ teaching about fasting reveals a lot.

It makes sense that because God is already with his disciples, they don’t need a special time of devotion. Every moment spent with Jesus draws them closer to God. Jesus uses the example of a groom and a wedding feast. Of course, Jesus is the groom in the story. Continue reading “Mark 2:18-3:6 – Draw Close to God”

Mark 2:18-22 – What About Fasting?

Read Mark 2:18-22

You might be thinking, “What is fasting in the first place?” It’s definitely more than just a diet! While fasting involves abstaining from food and/or drink, fasting also needs to include spiritual renewal, from shutting out the world to spending time in God’s presence. This is not a community event but a personal one between you and God. You can pray, read Scripture, sing praise songs, or sit quietly and listen. Always be listening for God’s voice whether you’re fasting or not.

What did you think about the contrast between Jesus’ followers and those of John the Baptist? John’s followers, along with other religious leaders, would lean toward the side of piety and following rules. It seems that Jesus’ followers were less focused on those “traditions,” and this verse brilliantly tells us why. The more pious would have been looking down on what Jesus’ followers were doing.

Joel 2:12-17 – Repentance

Read Joel 2:12-17

This is a text for difficult times. Coming off the warning of the locusts and the feared day of the LORD, people were needing to know where to turn. Where do we turn in our own times of struggle? Here’s a word from the LORD for your weary soul. “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

God doesn’t expect us to “get our act together” before we approach him. That doesn’t matter to him. He wants us to come to him before it’s too late. The enemy is circling, trying to distract us and interfere with our divine allegiance daily. We can be sure these prophetic words are for us, too.

Matthew 6:16-18 – What is Fasting?

Read Matthew 6:16-18

Simply put, fasting is going without food for a particular period of time for spiritual reasons. Have you ever fasted? I may have missed a meal or two here or there, but unless it was intentionally meant for spiritual growth it doesn’t count. Dieting doesn’t count either.

In the Bible, we hear of fasting. The Jewish people would fast on the Day of Atonement. There were other times, too, both for an individual and involving everyone. You will recall Jesus fasted while in the wilderness. However, today in our mainstream churches the spiritual practice of fasting is not front and center.

Luke 5:33-39 – New Wine or Old

Read Luke 5:33-39

Have you ever fasted as a way of showing your devotion or dedication? It is a discipline practiced by many, but because it isn’t a public matter, we might not even know it is happening. Fasting is done in reverence to God. However, when God is sitting right there with you, it is best to make the most of your time. That is what Jesus is saying here, yet I’m sure it went right over the people’s heads.

One of my favorite Christian bloggers is Nicole Smithee. She wrote a genius article on fasting. I share it with you HERE. After reading her article, I’m ready to fast. I think I’m going to work that into my schedule in the very near future.

Now the wine skin story may be a little trickier to understand. For me, I didn’t truly understand the tradition because I’ve always known wine to be in bottles, and more recently in boxes or cartons. I didn’t know that wine expands as it ages. Did you? Continue reading “Luke 5:33-39 – New Wine or Old”