Fasting: From Negative to Positive

Matthew 9:14-17 contains Jesus’ leading teaching on the place and practice of Holy Habits in the kingdom of heaven.

Since fasting encapsulates the essence of all ‘Holy Habits of Abstinence’ it represents the ‘Holy Habits of Abstinence’ and this explains why fasting is the issue on which the Pharisees challenge Jesus.

In reply, Jesus uses two illustrations, (about new cloth and new wine), to explain that the Holy Habits of the kingdom (of the Spirit) must be different from the Old Testament Holy Habits designed to cultivate obedience to covenant law.

To seek to engage in the life of the kingdom through practicing the Spiritual disciplines of the old law-based life will not work. It will be unfruitful. The new life will be frustrated and ultimately lost.

With only one or two exceptions every Old Testament fast is a deep expression of mourning for sin and failure. In contrast, (with the exception of Saul’s fast after encountering Jesus because at that moment he knew nothing better), the four fasts recorded in the New Testament all have to do with making strategic advances for the kingdom.

The essence of Jesus’ teaching in his answer to those criticising him for not joining them in fasting is that the kingdom is all about a very different, and more positive and constructive approach and strategy.

In the next episode we’ll look at the way Jesus changes Fasting and all Holy Habits into powerful tools for the kingdom.