Matthew 9:14-15
This section is about fasting. John the Baptist's disciples wonder why Jesus' disciples do not fast and Jesus tells them that his disciples will fast but that now is not the time for fasting. Jesus equates fasting with mourning: "How is it that... your disciples do not fast?" The response: "How can the guests... mourn while he is with them? ... When the bridegroom will be taken away from them; they they will fast."
I've always wondered why we should fast and I've heard some pretty good reasons. However, I think this discussion makes it the most clear for me: I fast because I am in mourning. So, when I don't fast, it is because I am not in mourning. The problem is that there is a lot to be in mourning about in this world. I should mourn that people are still treated worse than animals. I should mourn that children are robbed of their innocence. I should mourn that people are lost and headed toward an eternity of divine judgement. I should mourn that the earth is being raped of its resources and that God's creation has been so devestated by the sin and greed of humans. The reason I don't fast is because I don't have God's heart for the world and so I don't mourn. The other reason is that I really like food and lack discipline.
Father, help me to see people and your creation through your eyes and help my heart to break with the things that break yours. Then give me the discipline to express my brokeness and mourning through fasting.
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1 comment:
I have never really equated fasting with mourning, but it does make sense. I have never really discovered what fasting was all about. I understand the concept of giving things up to focus on God, but maybe that is not what fasting is all about. Interesting insights, gives me some things to think about, thanks.
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