Over the last few weeks, we’ve been learning simple rhythms that help us abide in Jesus. We find our home in Him. We hear His voice through His Word. We talk with Him through prayer.
This week, we learn to hunger for Him.
In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, “When you fast…”
Notice Jesus didn’t say if you fast. He said when. Fasting was an ordinary part of life with God that Jesus expected His disciples to practice. But biblical fasting isn’t about starving ourselves, punishing our bodies, or proving how spiritual we are.
Fasting is voluntarily giving up food for a time so that our physical hunger reminds us of our deeper hunger for God.
Jesus Himself fasted for forty days in the wilderness. And when Satan tempted Him to satisfy His hunger, Jesus answered, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
Food is good. Sometimes great. We need it. We even love it. But we need Jesus more.
That’s part of what makes fasting so powerful. When your stomach growls, you become aware of just how quickly your body demands to be satisfied. And instead of immediately answering that hunger with food, you allow it to turn your attention toward Jesus.
You tune your heart to His by praying, “Jesus, as much as I want food right now, teach my heart to want You more.”
Fasting reminds us that not every appetite has to be immediately satisfied. We can say no to something good for a time because we have found Someone better.
And ultimately, fasting is about longing. Jesus once described Himself as the Bridegroom and said that after He was taken away, “then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15) Until the day we see Him face to face, His people fast because we know there is still more of Christ to know, enjoy, and desire.
This week: If you are able, choose one day to fast from food. Use the time you would normally spend eating to read Scripture and pray (practice what we've talked about in the previous three emails). Every time you feel hungry, let your hunger become a reminder:
“Jesus, You are better. Teach me to hunger and thirst for You.”
Don’t just go without food. Hunger for Jesus.