Becoming Like Jesus: Fasting and AbstinenceSample

Our High Priest

Yesterday, we looked at another time of testing that took place in another wilderness. We noticed the similarities between what the Israelites went through and what Jesus went through, and we also looked at the differences. Today, we are going to bring it all back to Jesus because, where Adam, Eve, and Israel failed, Jesus was victorious. His time in the wilderness was a reversal of their failures, and His death and resurrection was the ultimate triumph over evil.

Pray…

Lord Jesus, where we fall short, you stand strong. When we fall short, you don’t look down on us. Instead, you love us and pick us back up. Thank you for your grace. Keep leading me as I do my best to follow you. Keep correcting me when I get off track. Keep strengthening me when I don’t think I can keep going. Keep making me more like you. In your name, amen.

Read…

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV

Consider…

Jesus became one of us. When He put on skin and bones, He was actually human. He wasn’t just playing pretend. Because of this, He was actually tempted. Not just in some ways, but the author of Hebrews says, “in every way, just as we are…” That means Jesus really did have desires that went against God’s best for His life. Just like we do. It means Jesus was in situations where, at least parts of Him, wanted to be selfish. Just like we sometimes are. Because of this, Jesus has immense compassion and empathy for us. He doesn’t condemn us or dismiss us in our struggle against sin. He prays for us and loves us.

He was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Jesus was truly human, and yet He never gave in to the pull of sin. He stayed faithful to God and His calling every step of the way. Because of that, He is worth following and devoting our lives to. He shows us what it really looks like to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and He gives us the power to do the same.

The Apostle Paul said it this way, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

He became one of us so we could become one with Him. So, when you are in need, go to Jesus with confidence. Because when you do, He will meet you with grace and mercy.

When you think about Jesus, do you typically think of Him as a real human being? Or does your view of Jesus seem disconnected from the everyday struggles of people? How does the passage from Hebrews shift the way you think about Him and the way you think about your own struggles with temptation?

Practice…

Keep going strong with your fasting and abstinence! Today officially marks the end of the first week. Don’t breeze past this. Enjoy the moment. Thank God for the strength He’s given you and the things He’s shown you. If you’ve messed up, don’t beat yourself up. Ask Jesus for strength and grace. When you do, He’ll give it to you.

When you start to feel hungry or find yourself craving the thing you’re abstaining from, redirect your attention back to God. Ask Him to help you resist those desires by praying, “Lord, give me the strength to say no to my desires. Help me to focus on you. Make me more like Jesus.”

Listen…

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes. Next, ask God to speak to you. When you get distracted, bring your focus back to God by repeating this short prayer:

(Breathe in) Lord Jesus, (Breathe out) Have mercy on me.

(Breathe in) Heavenly Father, (Breathe out) Speak to me.

(Breathe in) Holy Spirit, (Breathe out) Guide me.

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you got to spend with Him, then head into your day looking for opportunities to serve Him and serve others.