Scripture in Action

Aneel Aranha is an author, preacher, and evangelist who has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You can find a huge selection of his reflections, articles, sermons, songs and other resources on his app.

Apple App Store: https://aanet.click/iOS

Google Play Store: https://aanet.click/Android

All Episodes

Scripture in Action

Matthew 9:14-15 - Fasting

August 11, 2022 • Aneel Aranha • Season 1 • Episode 51

0:00 | 3:42

Fasting is a good practice, and one that Jesus engaged in often. One very good reason to fast is to discipline our bodies. Here are a few ways in which we can fast.

Matthew 9:14-15 - Fasting

Hello and welcome to the Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha. Today we will reflect on Matthew 9:14-15. Listen.

Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

I find the criteria we use to judge how holy other people are quite fascinating. And quite hilarious too. A few passages before the one we read today, we find the Pharisees asking Jesus’ disciples: “Why does your teacher eat with sinners?” In this one we find the disciples of John asking Jesus: “Why don’t your disciples fast?” Here are two samples of how we view holiness. One view says we shouldn’t eat with sinners. Another says we shouldn’t eat at all. What do *you* think we should do?

The question wasn’t flippant. It is a serious one and I request you to ask it of yourself because I suspect a lot of us do things simply because others are doing them and don’t want to appear less “holy” by not doing them. Consider abstaining from meat during certain times of the year. Why do you do it? Because you really want to, or because you are worried about the opinions of others?

Fasting is a good practice, and one that Jesus engaged in often. The Holy Spirit wouldn’t have sent him off into the desert to fast for forty days unless he was disciplined in it. I spoke about the benefits of fasting a few episodes ago (see #26. Why Fast?). In addition to the reasons stated, an important one is to discipline our bodies. Paul said: I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

There are several ways we can fast. One way is the total fast, where you abstain from everything, except water, for a period of time, usually ranging from a day to a week. I don’t recommend doing this for longer than a week, because you can damage your body irreparably. If you do feel the Holy Spirit is telling you to do this, make sure you check it out with your spiritual director first.

If you want to do something for forty days because it is what Jesus did (and Moses before him), you can skip a meal — breakfast, lunch, or dinner — or choose to eat only vegetables. If you want to make it really difficult, since the purpose of the fast is self-discipline, you can choose to eat only fruit for the same period of time. There really are no rules here. Just show a little wisdom when deciding what to do.

May the Spirit be with you.