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FASTING FOR LIFE Fasting is willfully abstaining from food or activity in order to grow closer to God. The Israelites, the chosen people of God, fasted on Fridays to get ready to keep the Sabbath Day holy (Commandment #4). After they were defeated in war, the number of fast days increased. They were pretty pleased with themselves. But in Isaiah 58, we read what God thinks about their fasting. Through the prophet Isaiah God says, “Go ahead and blow the trumpet real loud.” When the Israelites heard the trumpet, they knew what it meant: stop what you’re doing, it’s time to fast and pray. But God says, “Tell my people I hear their complaints that I ignore their sacrifices and prayers. Here’s my reply: “You’re fasting for the wrong reasons. It’s to make yourselves feel good. You mistreat those who work for you, and you constantly argue and fight amongst yourselves. So, I will not listen your prayers when you fast,” verse 4. He continues, “here’s the type of fast I want from you: be humble, fight injustice, help those who are burdened, set innocent captives free, break the bonds of those who are in trouble. Not clear enough?” In verse 7 God says: “feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe those in need, and get along with one another.” Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s easier said than done, Lord.” Well, God didn’t say it would be easy, he said, “Do it. Treat one another right, and I will bless you.” Notice the scripture includes people within the community of faith and those who are outside. I hope you will read all of Isaiah 58 as you fast and pray during Lent. Sharing Food: Christian Practices for Enjoyment by L. Shannon Jung is this year’s Lenten resource. Chapter 6 is titled, “Fasting For Life.” I guess it got the attention of some when you read the sermon title on the marquee. It seems to urge us to fast everyday of our lives, but that’s not what it means. The author acknowledges that we will die if we give up food for more than a few days. The chapter is about our need to recommit ourselves to this ancient biblical practice because it ironically will increase, not diminish, our lives. He’s talking about Fasting for Spiritual Life. Here are some of Jung’s thoughts: Our culture tells us to get everything we want, whether or not it’s good for us. Eat fatty, processed foods and don’t exercise because you’re tired after working hard all day. Or follow trendy, dangerous diets that can trigger eating disorders. Advertisements encourage “all resurrection and no cross” (p85). But fasting, along with its partner prayer, creates “a hunger for God’s direction in our lives” (p88). It helps us desire to be more like Jesus, who while fasting for 40 days, was tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread. Jesus replied that we don’t live by bread alone but by the word of God, Luke 4:4. God’s word is our meat and drink. When we fast, we don’t give up food or activity for no good reason. We ask God to replace our hunger and thirst with a hunger and thirst for righteousness. When we fast, we pray that God will help us become more like his son. We ask God to help us care more deeply for those who are hurting and in need. We ask God to teach us how to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Fasting and prayer motivates us to examine ourselves, to identify the sins and bad habits we need to give up forever. They show us our weaknesses. For instance, if someone fasts from watching too much TV or video games or Internet surfing or shopping or smoking or drinking, every time they think about that habit they realize how much they have not been praying or reading the Bible or doing something constructive for others. Fasting from food or drink will help us weigh our longing for snacks and beverages against those who have no food or drink of any kind. Our hunger pangs over missing one meal may remind us of those whose stomachs growl with emptiness for days. Fasting helps us realize how dependent we are on each other –- such as farmers and field workers, and reduces our tendency to overindulge or rely on our own efforts. Fasting makes us humble as we remember just how dependent we are on God for our daily bread. Without God’s rain, soil, seeds and sun we are nothing. After fasting, we may renew our efforts toward extravagant generosity and working for justice for those without hope. We won’t wonder why God doesn’t see how good we are. Friends, during Lent, the season of repentance and reconciliation, let us fast for our spiritual lives in Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life and the Living Water. For those who complete the kind of fast God desires, he has purchased eternity. Amen. |