“Fasting
Allows Savior's Truth Involving Nurture Greatly! (F.A.S.T.I.N.G)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
SCRIPTURE:
John's disciples and the Pharisees were
fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that John's
disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are
not?" Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while
he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But
the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on
that day they will fast." (Mark 2:18-20, NIV)
Observations:
I looked at words or phrases that were repeated!
1. Disciples: 3
2. Fasting: 4
Observations:
I asked myself who are
the disciples mentioned here?
There are 3 types of disciples
mentioned:
-
John’s disciples
-
Disciples of the Pharisees
-
Disciples of Jesus
I asked myself what is significant about that?
I learned that the disciples of John and the Pharisees were doing
something that the disciples of Jesus were not. This raised eyebrows
among the people. John’s disciples and disciples of the Pharisees were
fasting while the disciples of Jesus were not! The people had an issue
with it.
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself the
significance of the disciples not fasting?
What came to my mind is that fasting was
done usually to get close to God. When people fasted, it was to seek God
wholeheartedly and have their mind on God alone.
Other times, fasting
also included simultaneous mourning for a particular situation that was
going to occur. (For example: When Esther asked the Jewish people to
fast and pray)
When the people asked Jesus why his
disciples were not fasting Jesus answered, "How
can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They
cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when
the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.”
This statement of Jesus became so
significant to me because as I thought along the lines of fasting being
done to get closer to God, Jesus was telling the people that his
disciples were already close to Him.
Previously, I learned that Jesus
claimed to be God by His actions. Therefore, it is as if there was no
need for them to fast at that time.
Jesus claimed to be the bridegroom and
let the people know his disciples were his guests enjoying His favor.
This was a time for them to be jolly and celebrating for they have the
bridegroom with them.
Jesus also emphasizes there will come a
time when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and on that day
they will fast.
How true that is because Jesus was taken
away from them in the Garden of Gethsemane. The disciples did mourn.
As
I thought about Jesus’ last statement, it reminded me of the movie
called “The Passion of the Christ”. It gives a vivid description of what
Jesus went through for you and me in the last 12 hours when He was taken
away from the disciples at the Garden of Gethsemane. You should try to
watch it.
Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. Fasting should not
become a ritual to do for the sake of doing or a discipline to keep for
the sake of keeping. Fasting should be done to draw closer to the Lord
Jesus Christ or seek His wisdom and counsel in situations that are
occurring in our lives.
I remember when my beloved daddy was in the ICU, I decided to fast and go
without food for 72-96 hours because I remembered how the Lord Jesus had healed Lazarus from his dead
condition and brought him back to life after 4 days.
I was reminded of a Bible verse regarding Lazarus that I claimed for
my daddy too: "The purpose of his illness is
not death but for the glory of the Lord!"
Even though my daddy was not physically in a dead condition, I
wanted his health to be completely restored after a cardiac arrest
which was a result of malpractice.
I knew if Jesus wanted to restore my dad's condition that He would be
able to do it. I prayed believing for God's intervention and redemption
for my dad. By the Lord's grace even though my dad was not restored
physically by the Lord, amazing miracles happened that he was able to
live through a tracheotomy, dialysis, peg tube, and ventilator system
(which he eventually came of) for 70 days. On his birthday he was
moved out of the ICU unit. The love if Christ was spread through my
mommy at the hospitals that she stayed at. The Lord was being glorified
those 70 days.
Our family knew the Lord Jesus was working in our lives and my dad's
lives. My mom was able to read my dad the New Testament everyday
finishing the New Testament more than once at my dad's bedside. The day
he gave his life to Christ, is the day he went to be with Jesus in
heaven.
Our dad is with
our Lord Jesus Christ enjoying heaven compared to the pain he was in
down here.
I fasted as a sign of mourning and for God's intervention. It also brought me closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and
His Word supplanted in my heart filled me up. The answer did not come
the way I wanted it but spiritually my daddy was healed and it did not
result in eternal death. Thank you Jesus so much! So, the verse,
'The purpose of his illness is not death but for
the glory of the Lord' still came true.
Five years ago around this time in August 2014, my precious wife
Chandraleela and I wanted another
child. However, it was a difficult time for me for various reasons.
I remember it like it was yesterday what I did. I fasted and prayed
to the Lord Jesus regarding what we were going through for probably
3 days. By the Lord's grace and mercy, 9 months later, our second
precious daughter Evangeline was born. Thank you Jesus. Evangeline
being born in itself is another testimony for another day. Lord
answered my prayer in His grace. Thank you Jesus.
Jesus knew when the disciples would eventually fast but now was
not the time because He was still with them and they could joyously
enjoy His presence. We can enjoy Jesus' presence too because though He
went to the cross to die for our sins shedding His precious cleansing
blood to save us, He came back to life on the third day to give us
Eternal Life. Our fasting should be a time to draw closer to the Lord
Jesus as His Spirit leads us and guides us or a time of prayer and
fasting for different concerns.
I ask you now
dear friend, when does F.A.S.T.I.N.G become important in your life?
Dear friend, fasting should become important in our lives to draw us
closer to the Lord, mourn the loss of a loved one, wait upon the Lord
for an important decision as Queen Esther did, or for what we are
seeking. If it is in the Lord's will, He will give it to us.
Our personal relationship with Jesus
Christ, the Creator of the Universe who is God-incarnate should excite
us to take time to fast. Jesus will be touched by our fasting when we do
it for the right motives such as drawing closer to Him, seeking His
wisdom in our lives, or mourning the condition of a loved one as the
disciples did later on.
Jesus does not want our fasting to be ritualistic but
relational oriented. We should decide to fast for at least one day a
week limiting ourselves to one meal for starters, not because we don't
have any food to eat or are lazy to make anything but because we want
that time to be focused on the Lord and in Him alone. When we go hungry,
we can turn our mind towards the Lord for spiritual food and discernment
instead of running to physical food.
Fasting can bring us closer to the Lord
as we focus on the Lord during that time that we would normally use for
eating. This can be a wonderful thing as we turn that time into prayer.
I believe the Lord will show us things we did not know as we spend in
that time!
During Lent, I have always decided to fast for 40
days from 12:00 am - 6:00 pm to remember what Jesus did for me on the
cross of Calvary. Everytime I become hungry or want food, it turns me
more to the Lord. It becomes more challenging for me because I am
surrounded by food in my job. The Bible also says when we fast we should
not let the world know we are fasting. We don't fast to show ourselves
as pious or religious but for the right motives. I shared 3 examples
among many through the years.
Fasting is a means to draw closer to Jesus Christ once we are saved
but not as a means to get saved. Saving our lives from Eternal flames
has been done by Christ on the cross for all those that would receive
His redemption and the ransom He paid.
May you find a time to fast to bring you
closer to the Lord Jesus Christ knowing fasting allows Savior's Truth,
involving nurture greatly!
“Fasting Allows Savior's Truth Involving
Nurture Greatly! (F.A.S.T.I.N.G)”/When does F.A.S.T.I.N.G become important in your life?”
Prayer:
I thank you so much Jesus for teaching me about fasting. I want to thank
you for loving us so much that you went to the cross to die for our sins
shedding your precious cleansing blood for us.
Thank you for coming back to life to save us as we seek you! Oh Lord,
please help us to live for you and serve you all the days of our lives.
Thank you for saving us by your grace through faith. Help us to fast to
draw closer to you Jesus and seek your wisdom. Thank you so much Jesus.
Thank you for your Word and what you teach us. Help us to remember the
principles in your Word. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for the
opportunity to draw closer to you. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
ANALOGY OF INVITING PEOPLE TO THE GREAT PHYSICIAN:
We are like an ambulance taking
sick people to the
hospital. People are dying and there is an emergency because of an
epidemic virus. The ambulance takes the initiative to go to the place
people are dying and bring them to the hospital. They are not dead yet
but there is no time to wait. The ambulance needs to get to the hospital
for that virus to be treated. The virus has infected the mind, body, and
soul spreading rapidly. You and I cannot do anything to heal our friends
of this virus except be the AMBULANCE taking them to the HOSPITAL where
the GREAT PHYSICIAN waits.
Once at the hospital, there is a GREAT PHYSICIAN that waits. The sick
are gathered from all corners of the earth and come to this hospital.
This hospital is called CALVARY OF SALVATION and the EMERGENCY WARD is
called GOLGOTHA.
The GREAT PHYSICIAN is not like other doctors who can only treat
patients with physical ailments but this GREAT PHYSICIAN is much
more and knows He has to stay 72 HOURS for every dying person there to
be healed.
He knows what He has to do! This GREAT PHYSICIAN knew that only His
BLOOD can wipe away this epidemic VIRUS, so for you and me He went to
the blood transfusion room where people were about to die. There He lay
down on the bed made of wood.
The surgeons walk into the room. They turn this GREAT PHYSICIAN on
His back. Instead of using an IV, a WHIP with sharp glass, etc is
used to draw out the BLOOD from the GREAT PHYSICIAN'S back! It does not
stop there but to elevate the head on the bed of wood, a CROWN OF THORNS
is used which draws more BLOOD.
As the head is elevated, the GREAT PHYSICIAN's hands are stretched
wide on the wooden bed. Then the feet are bound together. This is done
for the BLOOD transfusion to begin. Instead of using an IV, NAILS and a
HAMMER is used. The NAILS are pounded through the hands into the wooden
bed with a HAMMER so the BLOOD flows and that BLOOD is saved. The NAILS
are pounded through the feet into the wooden bed with a HAMMER so more
BLOOD flows and that BLOOD is saved. As the BLOOD continues to flow from
the GREAT PHYSICIAN's body, the GREAT PHYSICIAN flat lines. Then the
surgeons insert a SPEAR into the heart to make sure all the BLOOD is
out. All the BLOOD is out!
Now, the GREAT PHYSICIAN is moved into the JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA MORGUE
being guarded by security.
Now the CALVARY OF SALVATION hospital has a BLOOD DONOR whose BLOOD
can be used to save everyone there from this EPIDEMIC VIRUS.
Those dying need to be taken there to receive the BLOOD transfusion
that is available. However, the BLOOD will not be forced upon those
dying! THE PUREST RED ANTIDOTE is only given to those that are willing
to receive the BLOOD TRANSFUSION so they could LIVE.
All that accept the BLOOD are being CLEANSED of this EPIDEMIC VIRUS
in their system that is infecting the mind, body, and soul. This
BLOOD goes into the dying person's mind, body, and soul and eats away at
the virus cleaning them and making them pure. This VIRUS is known as
SIN. The BLOOD is the PRECIOUS CLEANSING BLOOD OF THE GREAT PHYSICIAN,
JESUS CHRIST.
The WOODEN BED is the CROSS OF CHRIST where the dying need to be led
too.
72 HOURS LATER, there is a commotion at the JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA
MORGUE. THE GREAT PHYSICIAN is not there anymore and the ANGELS that
visit tell loved ones who came there, that THE GREAT PHYSICIAN IS ALIVE
and will save all that come to Him.
It is true even to this day, for all that come to the HOSPITAL OF CALVARY come to realize that His CLEANSING
BLOOD shed on the WOODEN BED (CROSS) will never run out. Anyone infected
who wants to be healed of their sickness can accept what Jesus did for
them and be covered in His precious CLEANSING
BLOOD.
I have done that friend and know that at the foot of the cross where
Jesus died shedding His precious cleansing blood for my sin and the sins
of the world, I can find forgiveness and grace.
Thanks be to God that Christ's death on the cross was temporary to
remove all His precious cleansing blood for our sake but after He was
buried, Jesus came back to life to save.
To this day, all who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved when
they acknowledge what Jesus Christ has done for them and what He can do
for them.
Friend, Jesus loves you so much and if you were the only one living
on earth, Jesus would have done the same for you. What I shared with you
was an analogy but in real life it has happened. Jesus went to the cross
for you and me and His precious cleansing blood was shed so you and I
could have life. Jesus came back to life 72 hours later and is alive but
His blood continues to heal people on every corner of the earth to those
that accept Him.
You can invite the GREAT PHYSICIAN right now as you make this your prayer.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for healing the paralytic after forgiving his sins. You set him
free to go home. I want to be free. I don’t know
everything about you. I still have a lot of questions. What I do know is
that you died on the cross for my sins. When it comes to sin, I am a
paralytic Oh Lord. I am infected with this deadly disease known as sin.
I am not perfect but a sinner who needs your cleansing blood to clean me
of my sin. I confess to you my sin and repent of my sin. I know
you have forgiven me when you died on the cross. I want to accept that
forgiveness. Thank
you for shedding your cleansing precious blood for me. You were nailed
to the cross because of me. It is like I actually held the hammer and
pounded the nails so I could be free. Thank you for willingly dying for
me Jesus. Thank you for taking the shame and pain for me. Thank you for
doing that to set me free. I come to the cross and ask you for your
healing in my life. Thank you for the power of your Blood to redeem
humanity. Thank you for coming back to life to save us and give us
Eternal Life as we yield to you. Your blood can heal us where we are. I
love you Jesus. I want you Jesus. Even with my questions, I come to you now and accept you
into my heart. Please Jesus come into my heart and make my heart your
home. Give me a transfusion of change. Live in me Jesus and I will live
for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I thank you Jesus
for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for
living in me Jesus. I acknowledge you now as my Lord and Personal
Savior. Please be the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you for being my
Lord and Personal Savior Jesus and because of what you have done for me when
God looks at me, He now sees me covered in your blood and His judgment
passes over me. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me.
Thank you for being with me Lord. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit.
Thank you Jesus I now belong to you and never need to be alone! You will
always be with me and have given me Salvation. In Your Name I Pray
Jesus! Amen!
How do you look at GODISNOWHERE?
One of my pastors, Pastor Hugo SHARED this
example one Sunday at the
RESURRECTION DAY SERVICE in the combined worship service of Pittsburgh
Chinese Church-Oakland & Oakland International Fellowship:
If
you look at it as GOD IS NO WHERE, you will still be lost in your sin
and be in bondage locked away in your sins and problems finding no
peace.
But
as my pastor spoke to the congregation and spoke to me, I am here to
tell you that GOD IS NOW HERE.
Yes,
friend God is alive and wants to bring a transformation in your life
through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ for He paid the penalty on
the cross to rescue you and me and came back to life to save us and LIVE
with us.
Yes,
friend that is exciting to know that we can experience HIS SAVING GRACE
& LIVING GRACE.
When
we mess up, we can go to Jesus with our shortcomings and He will forgive
us and RESTORE us to Him and we will find peace in Him.
"For the wages
of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his
Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive
ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7-9, NIV)
Friend, we need Jesus because we have been separated from God due to our
sin. Because of our sin, Jesus had to pay the price to become our bridge
so we can reach God now not of our own good works but because of the
finished work of Christ, the Lord on the cross.
"For it is by GRACE you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not
by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)