The Fast Before the Feast

We have just finished our journey through the book of Esther. If you remember how that magnificent story of God’s silent, invisible sovereignty worked for the rescue of His people - - wicked Haman has got his way - God’s people fast … We didn’t have much time to spend talking about fasting then, but I told you we would look at it more closely later. Now is that time. I want to spend the first couple of weeks of Advent, looking at Fasting.

When you hear the word, ‘fasting’, what images flash before the window of your imagination? Do you see a picture of a brightly smiling Ghandi, with his round glasses and fragile looking frame, sitting cross-legged on his mat?

Do you see a stern-faced monk, holed-up in a medieval, stone monastery, rough cloak, shaven head … and miserable looking?

Whatever picture comes to your mind, chances are - your own face isn’t part of the picture. “What?! Me?! FAST?! .... Whatever for?! I’m a CHRISTIAN!”

In fact - why are you even bringing up the subject of fasting now - this is Advent - aren’t we supposed to be getting ready for the celebration of Christmas? Christianity is about rejoicing … celebrating? You’re bringing up fasting .... when we should be thinking about FEASTING!

Does fasting even fit coherently with worshiping an incarnate God - a risen Christ?

I want to tell you, this morning that fasting is a part of the Christian life - neglected though it may be. And this morning, I want to invite you to consider, if you aren’t already doing so - to make fasting a part of your life - especially now … as we prepare for Christmas. I know that this is going to be a tough sell for many people. It’s a lot different than me telling you to just trust in God’s plan - believe, no matter what - that God is working out your good. We’re talking about giving up something. We’re talking about FOOD here!

READ

Our passage is right, smack dab in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew chapters 5-7 make up the Sermon on the Mount, which is the most famous of all of the sermons Jesus gave. He’s teaching his disciples here - how a relationship with him radically re-orders your life. In chapter 6 he speaks about giving to the needy, about praying, about storing up treasures in heaven instead of on earth, about now worrying. And, right here - he speaks about fasting.

Three things that I want us to notice in this text:

1 There is an EXPECTATION

2 There is an EXPLANATION: What Christian Fasting is NOT

3 There is an EXPLANATION: What Christian Fasting IS

1 THE EXPECTATION

Look at again: “And WHEN you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites ...” And , “But WHEN you fast ...”.

WHEN you fast … WHEN YOU fast. It’s important that Jesus says that. We know that in the OT, the people of God fasted ...

In the book of Esther - the genocide of her people is on the calendar - Every passing day brings her entire people one step closer to annihilation. Esther is queen in the palace but still very much insecure in her position - she doesn’t want to get involved - she’s afraid. If she approaches the king - even though he is her husband - if he doesn’t want to see her and doesn’t extend the golden scepter in his hand, in her direction - she’s dead. Mordecai won’t let up - - “who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther responds - she will go. She will risk her life to try to speak to the king - but before she does … she sends word to Mordecai … he is to gather all the Jews in the capitol city of Susa - and they are to fast for 3 days. Meanwhile, in her quarters within the royal palace - the very heart of the pagan power that is Persia - she is going to gather her maidservants together and they will fast for the same three days. THEN - and only then, will she go. We know the story - That 3-day fast is a pivotal moment - a turning point in the story of God’s rescue of His powerless people.

Moses, preparing to stand in the presence of God Almighty - - to receive the Law for this divinely rescued people, on their way to the Promised Land … he prepared with a fast - 40 days and nights. .

Ezra fasted over the sin of the people of God that had them stuck in exile. Daniel went face down on the ground to fast and pray for mercy for God’s people. Over and over again, in the Old Testament - we see God’s people, at critical moments of life - praying and Fasting before the Lord.

“Oh - but that was the OT! We are a NEW TESTAMENT people! They were waiting for Christ to come … We celebrate that Christ HAS come - and we’re in the NEW COVENANT.” If that’s what you’re thinking - let me say - “Amen - you’re right.” But that doesn’t mean fasting is excluded from the Christian life.

Look through the New Testament for yourself. In Acts chapter 13, the early church was looking for God’s direction. They know that the message of Jesus Christ - and the good news of His finished work - is news for the whole world. It is the one message of salvation. Chapter 13 is where the church in Antioch sends Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Do you know what led up to the sending of these first missionaries to Asia?

, “While they were worshiping the Lord AND FASTING, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ (3) Then AFTER FASTING and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Our Lord himself, before he began his public ministry - before he faced the time of testing in the wilderness - he was fasting. And right here, in , Jesus takes for granted that his disciples WILL fast. Did you notice that he doesn’t say, ‘IF you fast’ … but .... ‘WHEN you fast.’ And don’t miss the context either - in this very section of the Sermon on the Mount - Jesus has just finished speaking of prayer. Would anyone here suggest that we don’t need to pray anymore? So why would you think that fasting doesn’t count for the Christian anymore?

The most powerful verse in the New Testament that speaks of the continuing relevance of fasting for us today, is in .

John the Baptist’s disciples pay a visit to Jesus. John the Baptist is the one who came to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry - he’s the one who lived in the wilderness - wore camel’s hair shirt and leather belt and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey - - this man was living an austere life in the unforgiving wild. His disciples would have been doing much the same - they’re HIS disciples. They’ve left every comfort behind to join John in calling God’s people to repentance.

Part of their discipline involves fasting. Why, even the Pharisees fast. But here is Jesus, with HIS disciples - and they’re feasting at banquets, watching their Master turn water into wine … and John’s disciples ask, “WHAT GIVES HERE?!” Jesus answers them,

, “And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, AND THEN THEY WILL FAST.”

Think about it - the Eternal God has put on flesh and the one who spoke the universe into being is walking the dusty pathways in the backwoods of the Roman Empire … He is here to inaugurate God’s Kingdom in Human History - He’s on a journey to give his life to purchase forgiveness and rivers of life for his people. This is a time for feasting!

BUT … the time will come when I go away - - when these disciples wait for the return. The bride doesn’t fast when she’s hand in hand with her groom. But Jesus points to the time when he will return to heaven - and Christians will wait for the fullness of God’s Kingdom to transform this sin-stained, suffering world; and they will long to see the Lord who saved them .... FACE to GLORIOUS FACE … and as they wait for that day .... THEN THEY WILL FAST.

And that’s the time that we live in now, Christian. The already —but not yet of Christ’s Kingdom.

ILLUSTRATION - HUNGERING FOR MORE - A GREATER HUNGER

The first time I ever went away to summer camp alone – was to Camp Qwanoes, on the Island. Every mealtime, the whole camp gathered to eat in the big dining hall. I remember the first lunchtime – with every cabin sitting at its own table, before we ate the meal, there was mail call. The director brought all the letters that came from home for the campers – and the names of the lucky recipients were read – they went to the front to get their letter. That was Monday. Nothing for me. Of course not – I didn’t even know that there was such a thing as mail call – my mom sure wouldn’t.

Tuesday – nothing (wasn’t expecting anything, but OH, how I wished for some communication from home). Wednesday – “Keith Falconer”. I nearly jumped from my seat – clear over the table to get to the front for my letter. Took the envelope, clutched it in my hand as if it were the Hope Diamond, and went back to join my cabin for lunch. Only I didn’t have any appetite for food anymore. I wanted what was on the paper. I wanted to feast on every word from home. Just seeing mom’s handwriting – made my heart long even more for home –

Mom shared news about my sister …. I never EVER cared to hear mom tell me news about my sister before - - but now, it was life-saving information. I couldn’t eat luinch – had no taste for food.

At campfire that evening, as the whole camp sat around the campfire singing and hearing the devotions – I was still ruminating over the letter – tears started to flow …. Of course I wouldn’t admit I was crying – ‘No way. It’s just the smoke in my eyes.’ But the love for my family was so great – the longing for home was so strong. It was all-consuming.

1 That’s ONE REASON for Christian fasting - - when we, as God’s children, through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross - when we become so consumed with joy in Christ, that we take a break from physical food for a period of time, just to fellowship with him in sweet prayer and longing for his presence.

Question: Are you so saturated with absolute joy in Jesus Christ that there are times you would rather just feast on His living presence? Can you truly sing, “Lord, You are more precious (to me!) than silver?! .... or FOOD?!” Does He give you a song in the blackest night of troubled circumstance? Oh how long do I still have to go along that pathway to absolute holy joy.

2 THAT leads to a second reason for Christian fasting, and that is this: BECAUSE we sense our own lack of the fullness of joy in Christ. There are many threats to your joy in Jesus Christ - many temptations that will sap your delight.

THE GREATEST threat to your joy in Christ - is NOT evil … it IS settling for a lesser good.

It isn’t gorging yourself on the vile feast of evil that usually keeps you from a deeper hunger for heaven - - big threat, don’t get me wrong. But it’s not the biggest threat.

The greatest danger is our compulsive snacking from the world’s pantry. It isn’t committing acts of murder or adultery that is the greatest danger to most of us - but filling up on the cotton-candy of trivial things.

Piper: “The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night.”

Oh Satan can do many, horrible things, don’t get me wrong. But when Jesus describes, in , what keeps us from feasting at the banquet table of his love … it is … ‘a piece of land, a yoke of oxen … and a wife.’

Do you see the application to us here? For so many of us here this morning, the greatest roadblock on the pathway to greater joy in Jesus Christ - doesn’t come from His enemies … it comes from HIS GIFTS.

Not bad things - - good things:

A career that makes me feel significant

A companion who makes me feel loved

A hobby that refreshes me in my leisure hours

another quiet evening at home with a movie or a book that relaxes me

A dear friend who I can open up to and who encourages me

.... each one of these things can be a gracious gift to be taken with thankful hands from the God who loves you. But every single one of them can become a deadly substitute for God Himself. When they replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable and almost incurable.

And that’s another reason to fast - - NOT because I want to prove to God what a good, little Christian I am - and that He’s lucky to have me on His team .... But because I realize how desperately need I am. Because I see how all of these THINGS that I grab for and grasp onto - that they just won’t DO it. They won’t fill me. And the more I feed myself on them, the more I see how they are deadening my hunger for more of my Savior’s life in me.

I fast, because I am willing to give up anything - to go without some of the things that give me legitimate pleasure - just so I can cling to the pierced feet of my risen Lord and say - - I want more of you! I want you to form in me a greater, more URGENT hunger for you. I don’t want your gifts - - I need YOU!

So I fast.

Now when you hear the word fast - you probably associate the word with giving up food for a time. And that’s true. But that’s not all a fast can be. Some of you are here - you have a physical condition and you can’t fast from food for any length of time - - it would be dangerous. Don’t worry - you don’t have to miss out on the fun.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Sermon on the Mount): Fasting, if we conceive of it truly, must not … be confined to the question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose. There are many bodily function which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled. That’s fasting.

So fasting can be fasting from food - it can also be fasting from television, from the gym, from the company of other people. But more and more I’m becoming convinced that one of the very best fasts in our day - is a fast from electronics.

The smartphone … the ipad. The laptop.

“In a consumer-driven age of abundance, you can imagine how fasting becomes even more urgent. Food is a powerful habit, and so are our smartphones. Every day, we habitually turn to our phones, more often than we turn to sugar. Smartphones are a virtual form of candy. So a digital detox is a way of saying, ‘The endless digital media available to me in my phone is not my god. The self-affirmation and acceptance I seek in social media is not the basis of my happiness. God’s acceptance of me, in union with Christ, is.’

Only when our lives are re-centered on God can we learn to use our phones in honorable ways and with ETERNAL purpose. Digital detoxes are essential only because we have been showered with new gifts from God in the form of technology and media. Like all fasting, it’s sanctified gratitude, one way to ensure that our lives center on the gift-Giver, not on His … gifts.’”

Jesus expects His people to fast – I want to call you today to that fast.

2 EXPLANATION: WHAT CHRISTIAN FASTING IS NOT

Take a look back at , “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.”

When we talk about fasting, we need to be careful. Fasting does not equal Christian. I’ve already mentioned that it can be done for all sorts of reasons. If you do a quick search on the Internet - you’ll see fasting advertised as a great diet idea - apparently Jennifer Aniston swears by intermittent fasting for its health benefits. There are juice fasts, sugar fasts, cleansing fasts - and I’m sure some of them are physically beneficial - but that doesn’t make them Christian fasts.

Muslims fast every year, through the month of Ramadan.

Fasting is a worldwide religious phenomenon – The Andaman Islanders, tribes in New Guinea, New South Wales, The Yoruba in West Africa, the Cherokee in the States, or the Lillooet right here in BC, fasting is required all over the world. (Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics).

Mahatma Ghandi used fasting as a political weapon – with great success. The fragile, little, smiling man - got great attention for his cause, through his fasts.

Not even all fasting done in the name of God - not all religious fasting is true, Christian fasting. Jesus says in our text: “… the HYPOCRITES disfigure their faces that that their fasting may be seen by others.”

The hypocrites fast alright - but they’re playing for the wrong audience - they’re putting on a show for the applause of people. What a powerful pull that can be.

Did you hear about the clever salesman who closed hundreds of sales with this line: “Let me show you something several of your neighbours said you couldn’t afford.”

Is there ANYONE here this morning, who has NOT felt the pleasure of being noticed or admired for something we’ve done for the Lord? .... A sermon we’ve preached .... a SONG we’ve sung … A GIFT we’ve given.

In the digital world we live in - attention is power. If you’re on social media - you post something - and then what .... you take a look at how many ‘likes’ you get. The more likes, the more retweets, the more followers you have .... the more you feel, “My life matters!”

Oh, what an insatiable appetite we have for other’s people’s praise … it’s a deadly desire of the fallen nature we all have inherited from birth.

Does it really make you happy?

Among other things, fasting is a test. What really controls us? What are we hungry for? Jesus says, ‘If you are being controlled by a desire for the clap of the crowd’s hands - - then you may just be successful - you may be popular … so ‘Congratulations’! Enjoy it - because that’s all you’re going to get. God will not be used by you to pad your fallen ego.

3 EXPLANATION: WHAT CHRISTIAN FASTING IS

Jesus goes on, in to show what it looks like to fast as a Christian.

“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, (18) that your fasting may NOT be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

So, according to Jesus - fasting is something that you do in secret - so that your reward will come from God Himself.

Oh, so does that mean that if anyone knows I’m fasting - that I’ve blown it? No - not necessarily. Esther told Mordecai to get all the people together for a 3-day fast. How is that supposed to be kept secret? In the book of Acts, the early church is gathered together in worship and fasting - that’s a corporate thing - they are fasting TOGETHER for God’s guidance. And God blessed - the first missionaries are sent out from that fast.

The point is NOT that it has to always be secret or the blessing is gone … the point is that you are NOT trying to be seen. In fact, you’re doing your best to NOT be seen - you do your hair … you wash your face and brush your teeth. Because when you do that - you are proving that your ONE AUDIENCE is God above. .... and your heart is beating after Him.

So, let me invite you, this morning - determine a day, this coming week, and determine a fast - - will you set aside a meal? Will you lay down your electronics … and decide that I’m going to lay down these gifts, for this time, so I can use that time to better focus on the Giver …?”

Don’t miss the reward in verse 18, “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” “REWARD” - some translations say, ‘REPAY’. Does that bother you? “It sounds so … so .... MERCENARY!” There’s a lot of talk in the political world these days about ‘QUID PRO QUO’ - Isn’t this the ultimate ‘quid pro quo’? “I will fast for you, Lord … so that You will reward me.” “I want a reward in exchange for my fasting, Lord!”

Reward can be a bad thing - but not always is it wrong to look for reward. C.S. Lewis makes a good point about different kinds of reward:

“There are different kinds of reward. There is the reward which has no natural connection with things you do to earn it, and is quite foreign to the desires that ought to accompany those things. Money is not the natural reward of love; that’s why we call a man mercenary if he marries a woman for the sake of her money. But marriage IS the proper reward for a real lover, and he is not mercenary for desiring it.”

Noah and Courtney engaged – got down on his knee, held out the ring that he had chosen and obviously Courtney said – “Yes”. Now, if Noah had held out the ring and asked for Courtney’s hand and she had said, ‘YES’ – and grabbed the ring out of his hand and fondled it and fixated on the diamond in her hand, while Noah was still down on his knee - - and if she had started to phone everyone in her contact list to tell them about the ring she just got – there would be a problem.

If she was excited to take Noah as her husband because she thought she was marrying into money – well, first of all, she wouldn’t be very smart … but also –then she would be a mercenary – because money isn’t the appropriate reward for love. We have names for people who marry for money and they aren’t flattering.

But to marry – to get a spouse IS an appropriate reward for love.

God is the natural reward for those who desire HIM - so it is NOT mercenary to fast for more of God - and long for Him to reward you with more of Himself.

Fasting is the physical exclamation point at the end of the sentence: “THIS MUCH I LONG FOR YOU, O GOD - THIS MUCH I CRAVE THAT YOU WOULD MAKE YOUR GLORY SHINE IN THIS WORLD!”

I’m going to set aside my food for this meal .... I’m going to put down my electronic devices for this day … because I need more of You in my life!

And oh, how we need that.

At this time of year, especially - we need that. This may be the first day of Advent, but Christmas has been all over the stores since the day after Halloween. Some of you are putting up your decorations soon - some have had them up for weeks already … you’re getting ready to binge-watch Hallmark Christmas movies … and who can blame you - the plot is always so different, so unexpected - - the endings are so surprising! (Confession - I love those movies. There - I said it).

So many people have all manner of Christmas traditions - in the days leading up to Christmas - going to look at Christmas lights … making special baking treats … going to see Christmas concerts and watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” - - there are a million ways people try to make this season special

… but I guarantee you - I will hear people many of those very people say, this year - “Oh, but it just doesn’t FEEL like Christmas.” “I can’t seem to get into the Christmas spirit.”

And I want to say - OF COURSE YOU CAN’T GET INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT - if you are full on cheezy movies, decorations and company parties!

They won’t satisfy you because they CAN’T satisfy! Do you really think that the Eternal God of heaven looked through time – saw the person He would make you to be – and then created you in His image, with a soul that would live for eternity, shaped you for the unfathomable delight of heaven

… do you think with a dignity like that … that He would allow you to find satisfaction in a Christmas concert or a party or a well orchestrated family tradition – or a shiny, wrapped present? Those are all things far too small to satisfy a child of the God of Heaven. So don’t expect delight – if you are filling yourself with the world’s trinkets.

How can you enjoy the feast, when you come to the table already full?!!

How can you delight in the celebration - if you don’t prepare your heart, first?

For the sake of your own soul, because Jesus means to be your all-satisfying delight - let me invite you, this advent season, to begin the practice of combing your hair, washing your face, and let the Father who sees in secret … see your hunger for Him. “Open wide your mouth,” He says … “AND I WILL FILL IT.”

When you hear the word, ‘fasting’, what images flash before the window of your imagination? Do you see a picture of a brightly smiling Ghandi, with his round glasses and fragile looking frame, sitting cross-legged on his mat?

Do you see a stern-faced monk, holed-up in a medieval, stone monastery, rough cloak, shaven head … and miserable looking?

Whatever picture comes to your mind, chances are - your own face isn’t part of the picture. “What?! Me?! FAST?! .... Whatever for?! I’m a CHRISTIAN!”

In fact - why are you even bringing up the subject of fasting now - this is Advent - aren’t we supposed to be getting ready for the celebration of Christmas? Christianity is about rejoicing … celebrating? You’re bringing up fasting .... when we should be thinking about FEASTING!

Does fasting even fit coherently with worshiping an incarnate God - a risen Christ?

I want to tell you, this morning that fasting is a part of the Christian life - neglected though it may be. And this morning, I want to invite you to consider, if you aren’t already doing so - to make fasting a part of your life - especially now … as we prepare for Christmas. I know that this is going to be a tough sell for many people. It’s a lot different than me telling you to just trust in God’s plan - believe, no matter what - that God is working out your good. We’re talking about giving up something. We’re talking about FOOD here!

READ

Our passage is right, smack dab in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew chapters 5-7 make up the Sermon on the Mount, which is the most famous of all of the sermons Jesus gave. He’s teaching his disciples here - how a relationship with him radically re-orders your life. In chapter 6 he speaks about giving to the needy, about praying, about storing up treasures in heaven instead of on earth, about now worrying. And, right here - he speaks about fasting.

Three things that I want us to notice in this text:

1 There is an EXPECTATION

2 There is an EXPLANATION: What Christian Fasting is NOT

3 There is an EXPLANATION: What Christian Fasting IS

1 THE EXPECTATION

Look at again: “And WHEN you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites ...” And , “But WHEN you fast ...”.

WHEN you fast … WHEN YOU fast. It’s important that Jesus says that. We know that in the OT, the people of God fasted ...

In the book of Esther - the genocide of her people is on the calendar - Every passing day brings her entire people one step closer to annihilation. Esther is queen in the palace but still very much insecure in her position - she doesn’t want to get involved - she’s afraid. If she approaches the king - even though he is her husband - if he doesn’t want to see her and doesn’t extend the golden scepter in his hand, in her direction - she’s dead. Mordecai won’t let up - - “who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther responds - she will go. She will risk her life to try to speak to the king - but before she does … she sends word to Mordecai … he is to gather all the Jews in the capitol city of Susa - and they are to fast for 3 days. Meanwhile, in her quarters within the royal palace - the very heart of the pagan power that is Persia - she is going to gather her maidservants together and they will fast for the same three days. THEN - and only then, will she go. We know the story - That fast is a pivotal moment - a turning point in the story of God’s rescue of His powerless people.

Moses, preparing to stand in the presence of God Almighty - - to receive the Law for this divinely rescued people, on their way to the Promised Land … he prepared with a fast - 40 days and nights. . Ezra fasted over the sin of the people of God that had them stuck in exile. Daniel went face down on the ground to fast and pray for mercy for God’s people. Over and over again, in the Old Testament - we see God’s people, at critical moments of life - praying and Fasting before the Lord.

“Oh - but that was the OT! We are a NEW TESTAMENT people! They were waiting for Christ to come … We celebrate that Christ HAS come - and we’re in the NEW COVENANT.” If that’s what you’re thinking - let me say - “Amen - you’re right.” But that doesn’t mean fasting is excluded from the Christian life.

Look through the New Testament for yourself. In Acts chapter 13, the early church was looking for God’s direction. They know that the message of Jesus Christ - and the good news of His finished work - is news for the whole world. It is the one message of salvation. Chapter 13 is where the church in Antioch sends Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Do you know what led up to the sending of these first missionaries to Asia? , “While they were worshiping the Lord AND FASTING, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ (3) Then AFTER FASTING and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

PAUL - -

Our Lord himself, before he began his public ministry - before he faced the time of testing in the wilderness - he was fasting. And right here, in , Jesus takes for granted that his disciples WILL fast. Did you notice that he doesn’t say, ‘IF you fast’ … but .... ‘WHEN you fast.’ And don’t miss the context either - in this very section of the Sermon on the Mount - Jesus has just finished speaking of prayer. Would anyone here suggest that we don’t need to pray anymore? So why would you think that fasting doesn’t count for the Christian anymore?

The most powerful verse in the New Testament that speaks of the continuing relevance of fasting for us today, is in . John the Baptist’s disciples pay a visit to Jesus. John the Baptist is the one who came to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry - he’s the one who lived in the wilderness - wore camel’s hair shirt and leather belt and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey - - this man was living an austere life in the unforgiving wild. His disciples would have been doing much the same - they’re HIS disciples. They’ve left every comfort behind to join John in calling God’s people to repentance.

Part of their discipline involves fasting. Why, even the Pharisees fast. But here is Jesus, with HIS disciples - and they’re feasting at banquets, watching their Master turn water into wine … and John’s disciples ask, “WHAT GIVES HERE?!” Jesus answers them,

, “And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, AND THEN THEY WILL FAST.”

Think about it - the Eternal God has put on flesh and the one who spoke the universe into being is walking the dusty pathways in the backwoods of the Roman Empire … He is here to inaugurate God’s Kingdom in Human History - He’s on a journey to give his life to purchase forgiveness and rivers of life for his people. This is a time for feasting!

BUT … the time will come when I go away - - when these disciples wait for the return. The bride doesn’t fast when she’s hand in hand with her groom. But Jesus points to the time when he will return to heaven - and Christians will wait for the fullness of God’s Kingdom to transform this sin-stained, suffering world; and they will long to see the Lord who saved them .... FACE to GLORIOUS FACE … and as they wait for that day .... THEN THEY WILL FAST.

And that’s the time that we live in now, Christian. The already —but not yet of Christ’s Kingdom.

ILLUSTRATION - HUNGERING FOR MORE - A GREATER HUNGER

1 That’s ONE REASON for Christian fasting - - when we, as God’s children, through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross - when we become so consumed with joy in Christ, that we take a break from physical food for a period of time, just to fellowship with him in sweet prayer and longing for his presence.

Question: Are you so saturated with absolute joy in Jesus Christ that there are times you would rather just feast on His living presence? Can you truly sing, “Lord, You are more precious (to me!) than silver?! .... or FOOD?!” Does He give you a song in the blackest night of troubled circumstance? Oh how long do I still have to go along that pathway to absolute holy joy.

2 THAT leads to a second reason for Christian fasting, and that is this: BECAUSE we sense our own lack of the fullness of joy in Christ. There are many threats to your joy in Jesus Christ - many temptations that w

THE GREATEST threat to your joy in Christ - is NOT evil … it IS settling for a lesser good.

It isn’t gorging yourself on the vile feast of evil that usually keeps you from a deeper hunger for heaven - - big threat, don’t get me wrong. But it’s not the biggest threat.

The greatest danger is our compulsive snacking from the world’s pantry. It isn’t committing acts of murder or adultery that is the greatest danger to most of us - but filling up on the cotton-candy of trivial things.

Piper: “The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night.”

Oh Satan can do many, horrible things, don’t get me wrong. But when Jesus describes, in , what keeps us from feasting at the banquet table of his love … it is … ‘a piece of land, a yoke of oxen … and a wife.’

Do you see the application to us here? For so many of us here this morning, the greatest roadblock on the pathway to greater joy in Jesus Christ - doesn’t come from His enemies … it comes from HIS GIFTS.

Not bad things - - good things:

A career that makes me feel significant

A companion who makes me feel loved

A hobby that refreshes me in my leisure hours

another quiet evening at home with a movie or a book that relaxes me

A dear friend who I can open up to and who encourages me

.... each one of these things can be a gracious gift to be taken with thankful hands from the God who loves you. But every single one of them can become a deadly substitute for God Himself. When they replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable and almost incurable.

And that’s another reason to fast - - NOT because I want to prove to God what a good, little Christian I am - and that He’s lucky to have me on His team .... But because I realize how desperately need I am. Because I see how all of these THINGS that I grab for and grasp onto - that they just won’t DO it. They won’t fill me. And the more I feed myself on them, the more I see how they are deadening my hunger for more of my Savior’s life in me.

I fast, because I am willing to give up anything - to go without some of the things that give me legitimate pleasure - just so I can cling to the pierced feet of my risen Lord and say - - I want more of you! I want you to form in me a greater, more URGENT hunger for you. I don’t want your gifts - - I need YOU!

So I fast.

Now when you hear the word fast - you probably associate the word with giving up food for a time. And that’s true. But that’s not all a fast can be. Some of you are here - you have a physical condition and you can’t fast from food for any length of time - - it would be dangerous. Don’t worry - you don’t have to miss out on the fun.

No

Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Sermon on the Mount): Fasting, if we conceive of it truly, must not … be confined to the question of food and drink; fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose. There are many bodily function which are right and normal and perfectly legitimate, but which for special peculiar reasons in certain circumstances should be controlled. That’s fasting.

So fasting can be fasting from food - it can also be fasting from television, from the gym, from the company of other people. But more and more I’m becoming convinced that one of the very best fasts in our day - is a fast from electronics.

The smartphone … the ipad. The laptop.

“In a consumer-driven age of abundance, you can imagine how fasting becomes even more urgent. Food is a powerful habit, and so are our smartphones. Every day, we habitually turn to our phones, more often than we turn to sugar. Smartphones are a virtual form of candy. So a digital detox is a way of saying, ‘The endless digital media available to me in my phone is not my god. The self-affirmation and acceptance I seek in social media is not the basis of my happiness. God’s acceptance of me, in union with Christ, is.’

Only when our lives are re-centered on God can we learn to use our phones in honorable ways and with ETERNAL purpose. Digital detoxes are essential only because we have been showered with new gifts from God in the form of technology and media. Like all fasting, it’s sanctified gratitude, one way to ensure that our lives center on the gift-Giver, not on His … gifts.’”

2 WHAT CHRISTIAN FASTING IS NOT

Take a look back at , “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.”

When we talk about fasting, we need to be careful. Fasting does not equal Christian. I’ve already mentioned that it can be done for all sorts of reasons. If you do a quick search on the Internet - you’ll see fasting advertised as a great diet idea - apparently Jennifer Aniston swears by intermittent fasting for its health benefits. There are juice fasts, sugar fasts, cleansing fasts - and I’m sure some of them are physically beneficial - but that doesn’t make them Christian fasts.

Muslims fast every year, through the month of Ramadan.

Mahatma Ghandi fasted as a political weapon - The fragile, little, smiling man - got great attention for his cause, through his fasts.

Not even all fasting done in the name of God - not all religious fasting is true, Christian fasting. “… the HYPOCRITES disfigure their faces that that their fasting may be seen by others.”

The hypocrites fast alright - but they’re playing for the wrong audience - they’re putting on a show for the applause of people. What a powerful pull that can be.

Did you hear about the clever salesman who closed hundreds of sales with this line: “Let me show you something several of your neighbours said you couldn’t afford.”

Is there ANYONE here this morning, who has NOT felt the pleasure of being noticed or admired for something we’ve done for the Lord? .... A sermon we’ve preached .... a SONG we’ve sung … A GIFT we’ve given.

In the digital world we live in - attention is power. If you’re on social media - you post something - and then what .... you take a look at how many ‘likes’ you get. The more likes, the more retweets, the more followers you have .... the more you feel, “My life matters!”

Oh, what an insatiable appetite we have for other’s people’s praise … it’s a deadly desire of the fallen nature we all have inherited from birth.

Does it really make you happy?

Among other things, fasting is a test. What really controls us? What are we hungry for? Jesus says, ‘If you are being controlled by a desire for the clap of the crowd’s hands - - then you may just be successful - you may be popular … so ‘Congratulations’! Enjoy it - because that’s all you’re going to get. God will not be used by you to pad your fallen ego.

3 EXPLANATION: WHAT CHRISTIAN FASTING IS

Jesus goes on,, in to show what it looks like to fast as a Christian.