Biblical Reasons For Fasting

Study of Mark 2:18-22 Part 3 of 4

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The definition of fasting is “to voluntarily abstain from”. Initially Mark’s statement lets us know that the remaining followers of John The Baptist and the Pharisees were fasting, presumably while Jesus and His disciples were feasting at the home of Levi/Matthew. The disciples of John The Baptist may have been fasting due to his imprisonment. The Old Testament prescribed fasting for all Jews only on the yearly Day of Atonement as an act of repentance Leviticus 16:29-31. The Jewish people traditionally celebrated four yearly fasts following their exile in Babylon Zechariah 8:19. The Pharisees promoted fasts to be done voluntarily on every Monday and Thursday Luke 18:12 as an act of piety. 

In Mark 2:19-20 Jesus showed the incongruity of fasting for his disciples Mark 2:19-22 although He allowed them to fast if it was practiced properly Matthew 6:16-18. The counter question by Jesus set up a comparison and a veiled analogy to Himself. As it is inappropriate for guests (“sons of the bridal chamber” the groom’s attendants) to fast (an expression of sorrow) in the presence of the bridegroom. So it was inappropriate for His disciples to fast (in sorrow) while He was present with them. His presence constituted a situation as joyous as a wedding festival. But, this situation would change, for the time, days when the bridegroom would be taken from them and on that day Isaiah 53:8 the disciples would fast in the metaphorical sense of experiencing sorrow in place of joy. This allusion to His coming death is the first hint of the cross in Mark’s gospel. In Mark 2:21-22 we see Mark for the first time use two parables of Jesus. Both used a broader relevance than to fasting. Jesus’ presence with His people was a time of newness, fulfillment and signaled the passing of the old. 

Ten Biblical Reasons To Fast

1. Strengthen Prayer Ezra 8:23
2. Seek God’s Guidance Judges 20:26
3. Express Grief 1 Samuel 31:13
4. Seek Deliverance 2 Chronicles 20:3-4
5. Express Repentance 1 Samuel 7:6
6. Humble Oneself To God 1 Kings 21:27-29
7. Express Concern For God’s Word Nehemiah 1:3-4
8. Minister to Others Isaiah 58:3-7
9. Overcome Temptation Matthew 4:1-11
10. Love And Worship To God Luke 2:37