What did fasting mean for Jesus? What should fasting mean for me?

First, we are NOT to fast like a Pharisee. The Pharisees wanted everyone to know how holy they were so they either had a dirty face or put ashes on their face. They did not comb their hair and they generally looked disheveled. In other words, they wanted to call attention to themselves so you would know how pious they were.

Since Jesus said in Matthew 6:16-17, “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.  But when you fast, comb you hair and wash your face.” So…from the 2 verses we can discern that we are called to fast, otherwise Jesus would not have said when you fast. Also note you will be rewarded for fasting, we will talk about rewards later.

There are many references to fasting in both the Old and New Testaments (too many to list). We are told that Jesus himself fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. Matthew 4:2, “For forty days and nights he fasted and became very hungry.” So yes, you are supposed to be hungry when you fast. The 40 days and nights brings to our minds the 40 years that the Israelites spent wandering in the desert. They begged God for food and he provided. Most Old Testament dietary law as given in Leviticus and Deuteronomy was for the physical and spiritual benefit for God’s people. When we fast we are reminded to pray (let your stomach grumbles be a call to prayer). By not preparing meals and eating we have more time in our day to pray. Read More