Fasting as an expression of mourning

Fasting in the Old Testament, (the Hebrew Bible), has a different focus from fasting described in the New Testament.

The Mosaic Law states that once a year the whole Jewish nation should ‘deny themselves’ (Lev 16:31); and this is usually understood to mean that all who can should abstain from food from sundown the previous evening to sundown on ‘The Day of Atonement’ - a day for personal purification, and forgiveness and for moral reflection.

Although there are some exceptions, the Hebrew Bible generally portrays fasting as a disciplined expression of mourning.

In today's readings, you will see several examples of this. The valiant men of Jabesh Gilead in response to Saul's death. The Psalmist hearing that their friend is sick. Nehemiah responding over the destruction of Jerusalem. The people of Ninevah, in response to Jonah's decree.

And when Saul, the persecutor of the early church, encountered Jesus outside Damascus, he was so strongly convicted of sin that he immediately engaged in a three day total fast – no food or water – as a most extreme and sincere expression of his profound repentance for his sins. (Even though this is a New Testament story, it is an example of the Old Testament practice, because at that moment Saul didn’t know anything better.)

In the kingdom there is still a place for fasting as a disciplined expression of mourning, repentance for sin and confession, nevertheless we see a different and much more positive use for fasting in the New Testament.

Let me end by illustrating this with a story. A woman once told me that earlier in her life after she had become a Christian she fasted for three days for her husband to become a Christian (They already had children). After three days she sensed that she had done enough – that her prayer had been heard. There was no change for two years, but after two years her husband became a Christian. Later they were involved in pastoring and leading churches together.