Fasting: All Eyes on Jesus

by Debbie Poer

Historically, people have practiced fasting for thousands of years and for a variety of reasons. Whether it was Hippocrates recommending it in the 5th century to cure a variety of illnesses, Indigenous cultures using fasting as part of their rites of passage, or early 20th century medicine using it as a way to “cleanse the body,” fasting has held importance in the lives of many people. 

In its purist Biblical form, the Hebrew word for fasting, “tsom” used in the Old Testament, means “to abstain from food.” In the New Testament the Greek word “nesteuo” is “to abstain from eating.” 

As Christians, fasting has been a part of our faith for many years as well. The first mention of fasting found in Scripture is Exodus 34:28, “So he (Moses) was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” This mention of fasting as a part of the time that Moses spent with God, indicates there is great value in the practice. Moses came away from his fasting with new directions from God for himself and for the people he served. 

Moving into the New Testament we see Jesus on a 40-day fast, going without food as a way to draw closer to His Father. His was also a fast from food, but with the added struggle of Satan tempting him to turn stones into bread. Later, when talking with his disciples, Jesus did not say “you must fast,” but said “you will fast” (Matthew 9:16) and not “if you fast” but rather, “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16), indicating that fasting should be a natural part of their faith walk. Jesus teaches us that fasting is not required, but something we should want to do and with it will come temptation, requiring us to dig deeper into our faith in God. 

On a personal level, what do centuries of fasting have to do with you and me? Fasting is a way for us to examine areas of our lives or situations in which we need added focus on what God would have us do. While a 40-day fast from food is a supernatural fast and should not be entered into lightly without planning and preparation, we are still called into fasting as a spiritual discipline. While society may look at fasting as a means of weight loss or diet control, as Christ-followers we fast to draw nearer to God, deepen our relationship  with him, and seek His help and direction in times of special need. 

Fasting as a believer is also different from a secular fast, because it goes deeper than a physical level. It goes hand-in-hand with prayer, our way of communication with God. If we fast without prayer, it is simply a diet. Moses and Jesus had the privilege of meeting with God, but today we meet with Him through our times of prayer, and we do without physical food and draw on spiritual food that comes through Jesus as the bread of life. 

On a physical level, fasting is not to be entered into lightly. Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and are to be treated with respect (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). For most people, beginning with a fast of one meal will not cause a problem, but if there is any doubt it is best to talk with your doctor first. As you lengthen the time of fasting, there are things that can and should be done to do it in a safe manner. There are many resources and websites to help from preparation for fasting to breaking your fasting safely. 

Fasting is not meant to be something we do to “win points” with God. It’s not to be something we use as a negotiation tool with Him – “I’ll fast for ___ meals/days if you will answer with this desire of mine.” We can fast all we want, making our requests known to God, but we must also understand that His response, whether a still small voice or a loud ah-ha! moment, will be that which is best for us. 

For some, other types of fasting may be used to draw one into closer relationship with Jesus. Perhaps overindulgence in social media or TV or exercise or something else has taken you away from your relationship with Jesus. Fasting from whatever has become an idol in life and spending that time in prayer and communion with God may be just what is needed to break that stronghold and provide spiritual awakening.

Whatever the purpose of our fast and the length of the fast we choose, each and every fast should begin with our desire to keep all eyes on Jesus.