The question under which I write, comes from the fact, that Jesus fasted for forty days and nights, and that so many defy these great facts! There we will allow Matthew to give us the record: “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred” (Matt. 4:2); then, Luke recorded these words: “Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days, he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered” (Luke 4:2). Men love to question this great biblical truth; just as they do the rest of the inspired record!
The first thing, is to inquire into just what kind of “fast,” did Jesus do? Here you might not be aware that there are more than one kind of “fast,” but there are at least three kinds of “fast: 1) “absolute Fast;” 2) “the “partial Fast” and 3) “normal Fast.” Yes, these are terms given by men, but this does not give us reason to reject them! As we need some way to identify the different “fast!” Did I hear you say, “I did not know there were kinds of fasting?”
Second, the New Testament, in the two records above, sets forth this truth: that Jesus did in fact “fast. But, just what kind of “fast” did Jesus do during those “forty days and forty nights” given in the accounts? We have at least three kinds to choose from, as they are given above. Which one did Jesus do, and was he given supernatural aid? Thus, we have two questions before us, as we study the subject of “fasting!” In this first article on the subject of “fasting.” Here we will study one kind of “fasting:” the Absolutes Fast.”
With above in our minds, let us proceed to study the first kind of “fasting.” The record is seen in Jonah, the third chapter and verse seven. The text reads: “And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water,” but let us not stop here; as the record in Jonah was life or death for the city of Nineveh! The text reads: “But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hand.” Why is this so important? This is the great city that God was going to destroy, unless they repented into the preaching of John; the text continues as we read the text, “For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.” If we read the text with just a little wisdom, we will know that this was an “Absolute Fast.” How do we know such? As the text reveals: “… Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water.” This sums up the type of “fast;” as neither man, nor beast, “herd, nor flock; drink nor eat;” thus, the “Absolute Fast.”
Just use your head for more than having a cap or hat on it. Does “fasting” have as its end, its aim; that the people just go hungry and that they desire to drink? No, it is to get the mind/hearts of the people to turn to God and have man to understand, it is the intent that man obey him! Go without food and drink for as long as you desire, but if there is no spiritual intent, then, you have just gone with food and water, and when you decide to stop the “fast,” then, it is over and has no spiritual point to it!
With the above in mind, what kind of “fast” did Jesus do, as recorded by Matthew, four and verse two reads: “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” Let me here change the word just a litte, without changing the text. How long did Jesus “fast?” The “forty days and forty nights,” may read six weeks! Does this give your mind a little more understanding of the “forty days and forty nghts?” I was not able to find in the Greek words, translated into: “afterward he hungered,” the idea of doing without water.
So, you may conclude this question for yourself. Did Jesus engage in the “Absolute Fast,” which means he neither ate nor drank “for forty days and nights!”
We will contune with the study of “fasting” in the next article: ”DID JESUS HAVE SUPERNATURAL HELP IN FASTING?”
Frank R. Williams