WHY DO WE FAST?
Christians have historically set aside several weeks to reflect on the passion of Christ before celebrating Resurrection Sunday. During this season called Lent, we hope to prepare ourselves through prayer and Scripture meditation. We want to be intentional and thorough in remembering God’s love through Jesus’ suffering, His substitutionary sacrifice by death on a cross once for all and His glorious rising from the dead.
“And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15: 33-39 ESV
“And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Mark 16:4-8 ESV
We believe that His Lordship demands a personal response from all. In Jesus’ time, some believed, while others were bewildered; some walked away with fear, while others began to walk by faith. How about you? Join us for seven Fridays in reflecting, praying and fasting – whether that means abstaining from food for a set period or skipping certain meals.. We trust that the Lord will give us His Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we can know Him better and increase our boldness in helping others know God.