Lent and Fasting

Question:

Should one fast during Lent?

Answer:

   Easter, Lent, fasting during Lent, Christmas etc. are traditions or festivals that are not mentioned anywhere in the Bible, and neither are there any teachings or instructions about believing on them or observing them. Nor is it indicated or mentioned anywhere that by believing in them or observing them anybody was considered righteous by God; or that by not believing or not observing them anyone was considered unrighteous; nor is it anywhere stated that there was any gain or loss in a person’s blessings from God, by observing or not observing them.

   God in His wisdom did not have the date of birth, or of crucifixion of His Son documented in the Bible –although time-keeping and recording has been present since the days of Genesis –Genesis 7:4, 11; 8:4-5, 13-14. Therefore if these were so important and useful, then God would have had these so important dates of Christmas and Easter, related to His only begotten Son, recorded in the Bible. But He did not do so, nor has He ever expressed the desire that men ought to determine a date for them and observe these days and festivals; nor has He given any instructions or methodology of observing them. Christmas and Easter etc., initially were pagan days which those who converted to Christianity in a superficial manner did not stop observing but continued to observe in the name of ‘Christ’ instead of in the name of their former deities, after their becoming ‘christians’.। All these feasts, festivals and traditions are man-made rituals, that tend to promote appearing righteous by works; but their observances are vain according to the Bible (Matthew 15:8-9). Because all are self-righteousness is like filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6), and no can ever be righteous in God’s eyes through any kind of works (Romans 3:20, 28; Romans 4:2; Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). The only thing that pleases God is obedience to Him and His Word (1 Samuel 15:22). He hates vain feasts and festivals "Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them" (Isaiah 1:14; see Isaiah 1:11-18). God wants a good character and humility, and a true submission, commitment and obedience towards Him, not the observance of man-made and self-devised festivals (Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:8).

   If the fast in Lent is in accordance with the forty day fast of the Lord Jesus then the things written in the Bible related to this fast by the Lord Jesus should also be a part of this Lent fasting. The description of this fast by the Lord Jesus is found in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13. From these portions of God’s Word we learn that:

·         The Lord Jesus observed this fast of 40 days only once, and that too at the begining of His Ministry, not at the time of His being caught and crucified. Neither did He repeat the fasting on certain deignated days, although the Passover feast was observed annually by the Israelites.

·         As it says in Matthew 4:1 during this period of fasting the Lord was alone in the wilderness, and the purpose of His being in the wilderness was for Him to be tempted by the devil. He had gone into there by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:1), not to fulfill any tradition or observe any ritual.

·         In that period of 40 days He did not take any food (Luke 4:2).

·         During that fast of forty days the Lord was also tempted by the devil throughout those forty days (Luke 4: 2). At the end of those forty days the devil tempted Him with the three temptations mentioned in Matthew 4:3-11 and Luke 4:3-13, the ones we are commonly aware of.

   In the observance of the Lent and the fasting in the Lent period, is even one of any of the above ever seen? If not, then how can it be in accordance with the fast of the Lord Jesus? In that case, would it not be telling lies to the people in the name of the Lord and teaching them wrong doctrines, and deceiving them for a fruitless endeavor?

   Before His crucifixion the Lord and His disciples were not fasting, they observed the Passover; they sacrificed and ate of the Passover Lamb (Matthew 26:17-21). Therefore to observe the time preceding the Lord’s crucifixion as a ‘fast’ and abstain from eating meat in that time has no Biblical basis or precedence.

   We also see that the Lord never asked any of His disciples to do anything like what He had undergone at the beginning of His Ministry, when they started their ministry with Him. Neither later, in the book of Acts or in any of the Epistles, where under the guidance of the Holy Spirit many teachings and instructions have been given for the learning and improvement of Christian Believers, never has there been any mention or instruction regarding any such fast or practice.

   Such a ‘fast’ has neither any basis nor has any necessity, nor is it of any use, nor does God give it any consideration or reward – because such a ‘fast’ is neither given by nor desired by the Lord. Presently people traditionally observe a contrived a ‘fast’ and with a contrived purpose, but they disregard the admonition of Isaiah 1:14-15. But still they expect, and also teach to others, that when they observe it God will take it into consideration and bless them for it, as if God is under a compulsion to do so – which He most certainly is not!

   Why is it that people so enthusiastically accept and observe man-devised and contrived rituals and traditions but do not care about learning and obeying what God actually wants from them (1 Thessalonians 5:21)? Why do they blindly follow and remain committed to man devised rituals that have no Biblical sanction or standing, but are not committed and faithful in obeying God? Why?

   “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:1-6).