Fasting

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (Matthew 4:1-11)

Lent is a period of forty days and six Sundays, a journey that leads to Easter. Lent is a time to think about the hope and trust the Hebrew people and later the early Christians had in God’s way and to reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus.

In the above scripture passage, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness in preparation for the mission God had given him. During this time, he fasted or did without food. At the end of this time, the tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” And what was Jesus’ response? He said, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Fasting is to go without food. Perhaps an even better question for us to ponder is, “What can I go without in my life?” Can I fast from stress, anger, or jealousy? What is it that matters in life?

Although we have physical needs (food, shelter, healthy bodies), we also have emotional needs (love, acceptance, purpose) and spiritual needs (a faith in God). What matters most to you? A Daily Guidepost writer, Patricia Lorenz, included these five things in her list of what matters: someone to love, something to do, something to hope for, laughter, and faith. What is your top five list of things that really matter in life?

Jim and I may not be fasting from certain foods this Lent, but we will try to fast from other habits that we know would not please God. Can you and I turn worry into trust? Impatience into patience? Anger into understanding? Negativity into positivity? Jealousy into acceptance? And how can we begin to spend more time with God not just during Lent but throughout the year? It might be as simple as starting a routine of beginning or ending each day in prayer or doing daily devotional reading.

Prayer: Lord, I need your guidance every day. Just as I cannot do without food, I cannot do without You in my life to strengthen and sustain me. Thank you for providing all my needs. Even in the difficult times, I know I am not alone for You are with me. Amen.

-Nancy Sweeney (SUMC member 1973-2017, now living in Plymouth, MA)