(S)upper Room

Reading: Psalm 19

"Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4)

Fasting is not dispensational. It's a spiritual discipline for all times. That's why Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount said, "WHEN you fast" and not "IF you fast!" (Mt 6: 16). This Sermon is not a dispensational lecture of Christ. Rather it is the Magna Carta for Christian living. Jesus called fasting an "act of righteousness" alongwith giving and praying (6:1,2,5,16). We are not saved "by" works of righteousness but definitely "for" works of righteousness (Eph 2:9,10).

The Pharisees tithed and we teach tithing as the minimum for Christians. And they fasted twice a week (Lk 18:12). What shall be our practice? Neither tithing nor fasting is explicitly commanded in the New Testament, but who can deny their need and relevance today? These are days when what's obligatory becomes optional. That which is optional may soon become obsolete! Let's apply brakes.

There are no strict rules and regulations as to how often and how long we should fast. We are to study the Bible examples and decide for ourselves according to our desire and needs. Let's aim high!

Jesus fasted for 40 days before He began his 40 months' ministry (Lk 4:1,2). The very first recorded temptation from the devil was concerning food (v 4). He answered the devil that He was actually feasting on the Word of God while fasting from food. Man fell at his very first temptation — to eat! (Gen 3:11). He continues to fall primarily in that area! Gluttony is a sin we seldom talk about.

We knew why Esau failed. He preferred the broth to the birthright (Gen 25:29-34; Heb 12:16). And for the people of Israel, it was "the fish, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic" which prompted them to remember Egypt (Num 11:4,5). But Job testified, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12).

It is evident that the early Church held fasting as a regular practice. And for special functions they had special fastings. See for example, how the first missionaries were sent by the Church. "Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away" (Acts 13:3). There was fasting before that also and it was in that prepared atmosphere the Holy Spirit sounded the missionary call (v 2). Let's come back to the foundations of the apostles and prophets. Let fasting be restored both to the pulpit and the pew. We need the upper room fire, not the supper room smoke!

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Discipleship: NextMarch 15