Let's look at what Jesus said about fasting:  ¹⁶“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  The key to Jesus' comments is in the first three words "when you fast..." and in the attitude we are to have:  don't act as if what you are doing is a sacrifice.

First, "When you fast..." Jesus assumed that His followers would fast.  He didn't say, "IF you fast..." but "WHEN you fast..."  Often we forget that following Jesus is a discipline.  It isn't all fun and games.  After all, Jesus told us if we want to be His followers we must deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily.  Fasting certainly involves denying ourselves. While some folks have health reasons for not fasting, most of us will actually benefit from fasting for a few days or a week.  In fact, in an extensive study on fasting I read by a pastor who had done week-long, two-week long and even 40 day fasts, it was stated that the average American believer, who is in "good health," can easily endure a 40 day fast from food (not liquids!).  It's just that for many of us the idea of fasting sounds unhealthy---or at the very least hard.

Next let's look at the attitude Jesus told us to have when we fast.  We are NOT to "disfigure" our faces so others will know we're fasting.  In other words, we aren't to make it outwardly obvious that we're fasting.  Sometimes when we undertake a spiritual discipline, especially fasting, we want folks to realize we're putting forth extra effort.  In Jesus' day those who were fasting often put ashes on their heads, didn't wash their faces, and took other measures to ensure that folks would know they were fasting.  It's okay to discuss the fast in your family, or with your accountability partner, but don't make a big deal about it with your co-workers or classmates at school.  Remember, we're not fasting to prove we're spiritual, but to focus more intently on God, and to request that He fill us with the Holy Spirit, usher in a new era of reaching the lost in unprecedented numbers in and through New Life, and to bring us a breakthrough and deliverance in the current "dead-end" of funding for the Phase 1 building of our Mission Outpost at 127 Knoch Road. 

Make sure to take some time today--even right now--to thank God for His presence, and for the opportunities before us as a congregation, and to ask Him to strengthen your body, mind, soul and spirit for the upcoming week of fasting.

TOMORROW:  Practical Aspects of Fasting