Life in the Wilderness and Fasting

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Last year I spent some time researching and thinking about Lent, a journey during which I wrote two posts (A post about Ash Wednesday and one on Baptism). Observed by Catholics and Orthodox Christians, Lent is an annual event during which believers reflect upon the meaning of being a Christian as they prepare for Easter. It is a time to repent and for some a time of fasting in hopes of a growing intimacy with our Lord. Lent lasts for forty days (not counting Sundays) matching the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. But why did Jesus fast and is there any spiritual meaning in this for today's believer?

The Bible says the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted for forty days and was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2). Normally fasts were about repentance or about mourning. Jesus' wilderness trip was about neither, instead being about submission and about spiritual battle. I suspect that fasting helped Jesus stay centered and focused on His Heavenly Father. I also suspect that fasting helped Jesus battle from a position of strength even though we generally associate submission with weakness.

Ultimately that's what Lent is all about: focusing on our Heavenly Father and submitting to His rule. Through repentance the believer turns away from sin which interferes with true intimacy with God. I believe this should be more than just, "I'm going to stop doing this for a time." Repentance comes from the heart as we learn to align our thinking with God's. Fasting, though not required, becomes a form of submission as we put God first while trusting that He will meet our needs.

I do fast occasionally, though never for forty days. I also know others who fast and who testify of spiritual growth that follows their fasts. I find it amazing how God responds when I give myself over to seeking Him in full submission. I don't see fasting as required but I have found it beneficial to my spiritual journey, especially when I find myself in those wilderness moments of spiritual battle. It's during those times, when I find myself in the midst of the struggle, that I am glad that Jesus set an example of fasting and (as He did in the Garden of Gethsemane) of prayer. As I focus on and call out to my Father, I find that He always responds and always brings victory. I believe that if you call upon Him with an earnest heart, He will bring the same to you.

A Meatball Sandwich, A Conversation and A Change of Heart

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We love our food here in Philly, which is why (according to apartmentguide.com) the city has about 422 pizza businesses. That's 26.6 pizza businesses per 100,000 people, placing us second among large cities according to Apartment Guide's list. And as BillyPenn.com points out, the number of pizza places could be much higher depending on how you calculate. Along with all those pizza businesses Philly has over 150 food trucks (according to roaminghunger.com) and a number of award winning restaurants. With plenty available at every price point, Philly is definitely a city that loves food.

From time to time, especially on Fridays, I find myself in front of one of the city's 150+ food trucks. Last week I chose the one on the corner just down the street from the day job, where I ordered a meatball sandwich with Parmesan cheese. As the owner of the truck prepared my sandwich, another customer commented on how good the sandwich looked. She said she didn't need to eat any more beef, having had her fill the night before, but seeing my sandwich changed her mind and her order.

If not for my sandwich the next customer would have stayed on course with whatever it was she had planned to order. I did nothing other than being there and paying for my meal. The sandwich spoke for itself without me interfering or making any changes. I believe the Gospel works in much the same way. God has given us a treasure that is attractive enough to change hearts and minds without our interference. We need only live it and be ready to teach it as the opportunity arises. People will be drawn to it simply because it is good. Such is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Have You Ever Told God A Lie?

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Be honest! Have you ever told God a lie? The Gospels share with us a time when one of the apostles did just that. He declared one thing publicly only to do just the opposite later. He did not keep his word. To this, Jesus responds with forgiveness and restoration.

Jesus warned His disciples that they were about to fail, telling them that they would stumble because of Him (Matthew 26:31). In response Peter looks Jesus in the eye and declares publicly that he would never be made to stumble (v. 33). After hearing the truth that he was going to deny Jesus three times before sunup, Peter declares that he would die rather than deny Jesus (verses 34-35). He did not intend to lie to Jesus. Peter said what he honestly thought of himself but his actions later on turned his great boast  into a lie (verses 69-75).

How does Jesus respond after the truth is revealed? Jesus responds by restoring Peter, telling him it is time to get back to work (John 21:15-17). In so doing he puts Peter back into a very prominent ministry role, implying that He had forgiven Peter for stumbling. Jesus didn't carry a grudge nor did He say to Peter, "I told you so!" He didn't move Peter to the back of the line with instructions to work his way back into Jesus' inner circle. Plane and simply, Jesus forgives.

In the Gospels we see God's nature in the flesh and in action. Here we see Jesus forgiving Peter for denying Him and for lying to Him. God continues to forgive us of our sins today. Trust in His nature and receive His forgiveness. Don't hold onto what Jesus' blood has already washed away.