The Jesus Fast: Preparation in the wilderness

1 Corinthians 2:3, I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,

It is not uncommon to see believers lining up to give excuses about why they cannot partake in a Jesus Fast. ‘Pastor, I cannot fast because….’. If you look under the barrage of excuses you will find three familiar bondages: ‘unbelief’, ‘fear’ and ‘self’. These three imprisoning words make you wonder why we choose to deliberately conceal the state of our Christian faith with excuses and reluctance? Why can’t we see that covering our fears, selfish desires and unbelief, only hinders us from communing with God. Think about this statement for a minute. Concealing our weaknesses, does not and will not prosper our lives, rather it does the opposite. Proverbs 28:13, confirms this thought by saying; ‘He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.’ After reading this verse, it makes you ask, what if you were to come to the Lord not with your excuses, but with your weaknesses and laid them down at his feet? Would not God in his love, help you in the area of your vulnerability, so that you can be in unity with his Spirit throughout a fast? Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, ‘And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.’ The power of God’s love found in the Spirit of Christ is the power we rest upon in times when our human limitations fail us. Our human limitations should not be the reason not to fast, but our human needs and weaknesses should fall within the confines of the reason why, we should fast.

So why should a believer fast?

The main pursuit of any biblical fast is God. Not finances, not relationships, not even immigration status, but God. A fasting Christian should seek an intense communion with our heavenly Father. This is what Jesus did in the wilderness for 40 days. He withdrew himself from all worldly distractions and sought the face of his heavenly Father before entering ministry.

After He was baptized, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1).

Why don’t you take a minute right now and try and visualise how spiritually aware and strengthened Jesus was in the wilderness as he denied Himself from physical nourishment for 40 days. Now, take a pen and paper and write down what you saw. Did you see the physical weakness of the Son of God? the agony of his faith? Or did you see divine grace in action, as the Lord prepared him to overcome impending temptations and trials? Through fasting, Jesus demonstrated to us how we could sharpen our spiritual senses and spiritually mature in Christ, by dying to self. As believers in Christ, we should attempt to reflect the same level of commitment Jesus gave for the purpose of being at one with the will of his heavenly father. There should be a shift in our spiritual life, a deeper revelation of his holy character and an alignment to the divine will of God; as you begin to pursuit a deeper progressive intimacy with the Holy Spirit of God. As you unite with the Holy Spirit you will find yourself engaged with:

• The Holy Spirit’s divine counsel ( sit and listen to the voice of the Spirit)
• Spiritual stamina in prayer ( be strengthen as you partner with the Holy Spirit in intercession)
• Humility – which includes, humbling our flesh, overcoming our pride, withdrawing from the distractions of life and yielding to the dictates of the Spirit
• Spiritual wisdom, knowledge and revelation concerning life matters ( Receive answers to problems and divine direction)
• Spiritual focus – restored focus on God, his righteousness and his kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
• Discipline and self-control – resting upon the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit to resist temptation
• Spiritual power

There are many life transforming benefits that can be received when a believer fasts. Benefits that heighten our spiritual and mental alertness to God. These benefits will stoke the fire of our desire to live according to God’s righteous standards in Christ. These benefits are revealed to us, when we make time in our lives for fasting, intense prayer and reflection, as we focus our eyes on Jesus.

The fruits of a righteous fast

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30

In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says the following: ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled’. There is a spiritual appetite we should all seek to satisfy when fasting, and that appetite is an hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus says that he is the bread of life and if we believe in him, we will never thirst (John 6:35). In a Jesus fast, Jesus is our, food and drink. He is our sustenance and our salvation, as our bodies abstains from food.

With that being said, to benefit from a fast, you must become uncomfortable with sin. It is in the place of discomfort you will begin to hunger and thirst after righteousness, because you can see the need for Christ and the devasting effects of sin (Romans 3:23). This fast makes room for you to shift your focus away from you and realign your eyes unto Jesus Christ. Remember, sin is only entertained when we are self-focused, not Christ- centred and God-focused.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24

As you begin to daily crucify your flesh, the Spirit of the Lord will be at work in you losing the bands of wickedness. Your eyes will begin to see the power of self-denial. Self-denial simply put, is when a believer willingly chooses to live a transformative life of sacrifice and longsuffering, for the purpose of engaging Christ’s life and mission. Living a self-sacrificial life is a continual practice, which requires commitment. A Jesus fast, can help you in your daily pursuit to engage the righteousness of Christ by faith. As you do so, with a penitent heart, you will daily see:

Righteousness speak: The mouth of the righteous is a well of life Proverbs 10:11

Righteous actions: ‘…for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.’ Revelation 19:7-8.

Edified desires: “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Hebrews 1:9.

An engagement with the kingdom of God: “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17.

Practiced righteousness (1 John 3:10). “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” Isaiah 32:17.

The breastplate of righteousness: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6:14.

Righteousness shall go before you: Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Isaiah 58:8

Finally,

A Jesus Fast is a fast God chooses (Isaiah 58:6). You do not choose your own fast. It is a fast where your heart secures a perfect faith as you feed your spiritual appetite with the word of God, whilst abstaining from satisfying your physical one (Matthew 4: 4). In this type of fast, Jesus becomes your all and all. Your bread. Your water. Your word and your Life. As you partake in God’s fast, watch him loose you from the bands of wickedness. Watch the heavy burdens that once troubled your life be lifted. Watch how the Lord will make righteousness go before you and cause your (physical and spiritual) health to spring forth speedily. Your appetite for the Lord will lead you to encounter a revelation of the Lord's goodness; and his glory shall be your reward (Isaiah 58: 6-8).

If you desire to unleash the transformative power of fasting in your life, seek the Lord before the fast. Wait upon his direction and allow him to lead you into the fast he has chosen. It is important to remember that your devotion is to God and not man. Jesus must be the centre of all that you do.