Fasting for the world

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

Depriving oneself unnecessarily is not commonly something that modern Americans view favorably. Why would you do it if you don’t have to? This is especially the case when we think of food. Why fast unless your doctor requires it? It’s clear, however, that our Savior viewed fasting as something His people would do until His return. He not only warned the disciples against hypocritical fasting but instructed them in the proper way to fast (Matt. 6:16-18). And we should note that this instruction comes in the context of teaching about the proper ways to give and pray. Fasting is as much an obligation for the people of God as giving or praying. Jesus assumes that it is going to be a regular part of our lives.

This is reiterated in Matthew 9 where Jesus defends His disciples against the charge of indifference to fasting by saying that there are times when fasting is inappropriate (Matt. 9:14-15). But He goes on to say that the time is coming when the disciples will have occasion to fast and in those seasons, they will do so.

This reality lies behind the season of Lent. I grew up around Roman Catholic friends who had a superstitious understanding of this season and trivialized it to such a degree that I always thought it silly at best and destructive and dangerous at worst. Lent seemed to distract you from the finished work of Christ and focus you upon a dependence on your own works. But historically, the Church was motivated to observe this season by the opposite reason. The concern was that there should be a time, at least once per year, when God’s people are called to a formal, corporate remembrance of their sins and their continual need to humble themselves before the Lord in repentance. All have sinned and thus, all deserve to die.

The season of Lent calls us to remember this sobering reality. Far from focusing upon self-atonement, it reminds us that there is no hope in us at all. Our confidence is not in our works but in the work of Jesus in our behalf. His death in our place and His resurrection; His righteousness is our only hope and the foundation of our acceptance in the sight of God. Lent focuses upon how this glorious reality ought to affect us and what it ought to produce in us. Rather than provoking pride and self-righteousness, this reality brings us down in humble acknowledgment of our disobedience and unbelief and produces in us thankful acknowledgment for all His mercies to us in Christ Jesus. And that is where fasting comes in.

Fasting is one way we acknowledge that we have sinned and are unworthy of God’s mercies and the blessings and benefits of His covenant. One of the central blessings of the covenant is food (Deut. 28:4-5,8,11-12) and eating is a sign of our communion with God and the gracious relationship we have with Him. Voluntarily abstaining from food is one of the ways in which we demonstrate our repentance and contrition for our sins.

Fasting vividly reminds us of what we deserve from God as a consequence of sin — we deserve to starve to death. Fasting teaches us that we are not self-sustaining beings. We are utterly dependent upon God’s grace ministered to us through the gifts and labors of other men for our daily existence and we need to remember this. We live by grace alone. There is no room for boasting and pretending to be self-sufficient.

“But can’t this lead us into superstition? Can’t we begin to think that our fasting is somehow meritorious? Won’t this tempt us to trust in our own works?” Well, that is a real danger. But the solution is not found in refusing to do what God calls us to do, but in doing it in the right way! All obedience can be performed hypocritically, but our response is not to refuse to obey, but to obey in the right spirit. So, fast, but not like the hypocrites. Fast faithfully.

But what does it say about the church when the people of God refuse to fast?

1. It may show that we are steeped in selfishness and self-centeredness. Our own ease and comfort are the most important things of all. Where there is no fasting, we’ll usually find ourselves up-to-here in selfishness and presumption.

2. It may indicate that we are ruled more by our lusts than by God’s Word. Discomfort and inconvenience are the great evils. Where there is no fasting there will often be a great deal of sinful indulgence.

3. It may mean that there is little sense of the seriousness of sin. This seems especially true of our country. Who thinks of sin as “heinous” (who even knows what “heinous” means anymore)? The abundance of food that we enjoy can undermine our awareness of the heinousness of our sins. But fasting (in the right way) underscores the dreadfulness of sin. Sin brings sorrow, misery, pain, and ultimately warrants our destruction. Fasting reminds us of these realities as we feel the pain and misery of going without food. No fasting often means great arrogance and self-righteousness.

4. It may reveal that we are unconcerned for the world around us. The reason fasting seems so foreign and unnecessary to men today is that they see little need for it. And they see little need for it because they do not see the seriousness of sin and consequently, are oblivious to their greatest danger (the wrath of God). Men can’t imagine humbling themselves because they have displeased God. And it is this spirit that makes the absence of fasting frightening.

When we live in a world dominated by selfishness and self-indulgence; a world that hates self-denial and sacrifice — there is a great need for fasting. And this is another reason why the season of Lent is important for the Church . . . and the world. We must fast not only for ourselves but for a nation and world that refuses to do so.