Fasting

March 9, 2017

Opening Hymns:
496 Sweet Hour of Prayer http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh496.sht

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 4:1-11
 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
 4:2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.
 4:3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
 4:4 But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,
 4:6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"
 4:7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor;
 4:9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
 4:11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.


Message:
Fasting can be a wonderful thing for our bodies, minds, and spirits. The restraint of not eating food for a time can be a challenge. Recently, it seems more people are noticing the health benefits of giving our bodies a break from food. Throughout the bible we read about people fasting, and praying to the Lord. I remember hearing someone say that fasting is like praying with an exclamation point behind it.


In today's scripture Jesus is fasting. Not only is Jesus fasting, He is fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. I cannot even fathom fasting for a week, so the idea that he was fasting that long is incredible. In His weakened state near the end of His fast, the devil comes and tempts Him. If we reflect back to the Genesis scripture from last week, we will remember how easy it was for Eve to fall into temptation, even though she had all the food she would ever need. Now in Matthew, Jesus has had no food, He is weak, and yet He still stands for what is right and just, and He does not give into temptation.


During lent many people decide to give up something during those 40 days. It is a time when people may try to empty themselves of something so they can focus more on God. When I was younger I would give up things like chocolate or TV during lent. The amazing thing is, when we give up something it feels like that is all we can think about. Indeed, when I was growing up, I would hardly be able to wait until Easter, because then I could have chocolate again! Likewise, in fasting from food, our bodies constantly remind us that we are hungry.


We can use these reminders to focus our hearts on God. If we are fasting, and find the longing for food, we can use that time to pray, and to reflect on Jesus' fast, and His love for us. We can use it as a reminder of those in our world who do not always have food to eat, and it can awaken in us a greater sense of compassion. We can use the time we would have been spending on watching TV, and use it to read and reflect on scripture, or to go out and volunteer. Fasting can be hard, but I cannot name a time when fasting didn't draw me closer to God. It is a way to empty ourselves, and to really listen to God's call.


Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for Your love for us. Thank you for sending Jesus to show us the way to follow You. May we never forget His love and sacrifice for us, as we go through each day. Let us share His love with those in need. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
189 Fairest Lord Jesus http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh189.sht


May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God