Becoming Like Jesus: Fasting and AbstinenceSample

Jesus Changes Everything

When we encounter Jesus and He shows us what needs to change in our lives, what do we do? We are going to read about Saul’s encounter with Jesus today and see what he does after that meeting.

Let’s dive in.

Pray…

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me enough to come after me. Thank you for never getting tired of bringing me home. Jesus, open my eyes to more of who you are and what your love is like today. Holy Spirit, I want to embrace your love and share it with others the same way Jesus has loved me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. Acts 9:3-9 NLT

Consider…

So, Saul meets Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was literally on his way to hunt down and harm the Christians in that city, and then Jesus shows up, stopping Saul in his tracks. Nothing about Saul’s life was the same after that.

He hears what Jesus says, responds in obedience, heads into the city, fasts for three days, and awaits further instructions.

What does this have to do with us? Even though Saul was physically blinded after meeting Jesus, he was actually seeing clearer than ever before. Because when we allow Jesus’ light into our lives, it does what light always does—it exposes things we couldn’t see before.

Before this moment, Saul was spiritually blind to the truth of who Jesus is. And when he saw that he had gotten it wrong, he didn’t let guilt or shame drive him away from Jesus. He pressed into God’s presence by listening, obeying, and fasting for three days. And God was with Him. God brought people to him. God healed his eyes and his heart. God gave him a new mission to pursue. And God is ready and willing to do the same for you. Jesus invites all of us to walk in the light, like He is in the light, so that we can see clearly the things we couldn’t see before.

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NLT

Practice…

In your practice of fasting and abstinence, you likely have and will trip up along the way. When it’s tempting to let guilt or shame drive you away from Jesus or give up on these disciplines, remember Saul. When he got it wrong, he didn’t run from God or give up on his faith. He repented. And he received forgiveness and freedom. So, when you fall short, do what Saul did. Repent and receive forgiveness. Listen to what Jesus has to say, respond in obedience, and keep pursuing Him. Because He never gets tired of bringing us home.

Listen…

Find a comfortable place where you can continue to be alone with God. Maybe a cozy chair, a closet, or even sitting outside on a porch. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes. Next, ask God to speak to you. When you get distracted, consider it an opportunity to come back to Jesus by praying this short prayer that He taught us:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 NLT

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