The Fast: Being in the presence of Jesus Christ

I like to do word searches in the scriptures.  It adds so much more meaning to scriptures study. I spent a great deal of time pulling out the different situations where fasting is mentioned.  I believe the greatest light is shed when Christ is studied in a fasting situation.  Not only his remarkable 40 fast, (which we can cover later), but also those people in a situation where they are feasting with Christ.

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
 

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?


When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.


And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.


We learn immediately that fasting is to be in the presence of Christ. Christ goes on to explain some very clear doctrine in the renewal of the body, which is compared to an old garment and wine bottles.

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.


No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.


And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. Mark 2:15-22

We also learn that fasting provides healing for those in need.  Not only is the inside—the spirit being reborn and sanctified—is made new, but also the outside. Christ is the dear and glorious physician.  He has and always will be the ultimate Healer.

We can see so clearly that fasting is something that brings us closer and closer into His holy presence.  We are enlightened and blessed immeasurably through the association as we endeavor to draw closer to Christ.  Christ tells us himself that we cannot fast when he is with us, so the conclusion is that we fast to connect with Him. Oh, blessed day when we are fasting and feel His power, His love, and his holy presence near.