Fasting over Lent?

Lent starts today. It is a season where we allow ourselves to be carried back to the cross of Jesus and to remember all that was done on our behalf.

Lent is the season of forty days before Easter where we reflect on what Jesus gave up to serve us, and to save us and to open up to us the way to God. One of the ways we remember what Jesus did is by fasting. Jesus says to us in Matthew 6 'when we fast...' so it seems that fasting is not something we might do, and or even should do. It is instead something we will do as we follow Christ.

Of course our modern consumer culture would think it strange to give up anything. Ever. But the culture of the Bible is replete with ideas of sacrifice, emptying, losing and laying down. These ideas are sometimes practically displayed by us kneeling or bowing in worship.

It might be helpful to reflect that the point of lent then is not about us, that we might get anything out it. It is instead a season to bless and serve Jesus. Lent is a season where we put ourselves and our agendas onto the back burner. It is a season where we fast not to get anything ourselves but to give everything in worship to Jesus: lord, saviour and king!

Jesus reminds us that we are to fast without telling others. It is something done for His glory not ours and so we do it quietly and inwardly as an exercise of personal reflection and worship. Smile as you crave, grin as you hunger and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. What is our reward? To see Jesus glorified!

May this season bring to you little, but may it give much glory and worship to Jesus!