Feb. 1, 2015

Background Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18; 9:9-17

Devotional Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:11-18

When I realized the subject of this week’s scriptures was religious fasting, I thought: What an odd topic for 21st century Christians, most of whom do not practice fasting a part of their Christianity. But as I began to examine this practice, I came to realize fasting is only part of some more higher and important issues for Christians.

So, if you do not practice fasting – as I do not – there is still relevance for Christians to consider.

My Bible dictionary says: “The origins of fasting as a moral and religious discipline are obscure.” For one thing, we don’t know where, when and by whom this practice first came into being. As with prayer, fasting is not limited to Christianity, but is also practiced in other religions and is more important in some of them – for example, Moslems, Hindus, and Buddhists, Jews and various Native Americans.

Scholars believe abstinence from food and drink – and sometimes sexual relations – was believed to be one way to induce receptivity to visions, dreams and other supernormal experiences that provided what they regarded as direct access to the resources of the spiritual world. Other practitioners found it to be an expression of mourning, repentance, calamity or supplication.

In Judaism, there was only one compulsory fast, the Day of Atonement. But, in time, fasting became a means, either private or public, of expressing to God the experiences of mourning, penitence and urgent supplication. It was particularly evident among the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist. It still is in Judaism.

Followers of Mohamed are called to the strict observance of Ramadan in the ninth month of the Muslim year. The fast lasts from dawn until sunset and bathing, drinking, eating, smoking, smelling perfumes and all unnecessary indulgences are forbidden. Prayer, fasting and worship are common to most religions.

To the glory of God

As a practicing Jew, Jesus neither commanded nor discouraged it. In Luke 18:12, we find Jesus telling a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector. The smug Pharisee both prayed and boasted at the same time: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week …”

Jesus appears to have regarded fasting as normative for his followers, providing it was done to the glory of God and not used to impress either God or other people (Mt. 6:16-18). Insincerity in the practice of our religion is a destructive sin in itself. I like to call this attitude “The Little Jack Horner Approach to Proud Piety.”

You remember him, don’t you?

Little Jack Horner

Sat in a corner

Eating his Christmas pie.

He stuck in his thumb

And pulled out a plum

And said:

“What a good boy am I!”

Jesus simply called it “hypocrisy.” But what do you call it?

It was frequently assumed fasting was a means whereby one could “please God.” Fasting itself is not the issue, but how does one please God and why? If we try to please God, is it because we are trying to manipulate the Lord and gain assurance of our salvation?

Much more than the ritual itself, Jesus was concerned with the motive underlying fasting and other forms of devotion: “And when you fast, do not look dismal like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I tell you, they have their reward. But when you fast  anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees you in secret will reward you” (Mt. 6:16-18).

The gift of grace

In addition to our two texts this week, Matthew 6:16-17 and 9:14-15, the response of Jesus is repeated in Mark 2:18-20 with additional comment in Mark 7:08.

Matthew tells us Jesus himself was “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry” (Mt.4:1,2).

The gospel writers speak to this subject again only in Luke 5:33-37 and 18:12. I did not find any additional quotations on “fasting” in the rest of the New Testament.

Fasting, then, or any other spiritual discipline, may simply be our way of thanking God for His saving grace. Our salvation is a gift of grace, not a reward for our “excellence.” So, a question all of us need to ask ourselves is not, “Shall I fast or not?” but, “How can I express to the Lord my gratitude for His gracious gift?”

I try to ask myself that question most every day and I recommend it to you. For if you ask that question of yourself daily, what kind of answers do you think you’d receive?

There are explicit differences in the ways and means by which Christians of varying heritages structure their spiritual lives. So, we need never ask: “What is the right way a Christian ought to please God?” Instead, we should ask: “Lord, what can I do today to say ‘thank you’ for Your gift?”

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Those with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.