When we fast, we participate in the sufferings of Jesus and others. Fasting is a voluntary sacrifice on our part, but as we fast and pray we also remember how Jesus was the Suffering Servant—sacrificing not just a couple meals but his life. We recall the extent of his physical suffering as well as his mental anguish. Added to our own prayers and sacrifice then, is an aspect of joining Jesus and suffering alongside him.
Psalm 69 was composed by David; however, we can easily imagine Jesus praying some of these same words in the moments between Gethsemane and Golgotha. Read Psalm 69:6-12.
We may not have people making fun of us when we fast. (Few should actually know that we’re fasting anyway.) We may not be wearing sackcloth or hearing insults. Our persecution may be passive. Those whom we know are against our Jesus and our faith may be a long distance away from us. Still, to the extent that we give up something of significance to us and voluntarily “suffer”, we follow Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice. In Paul’s letter to the Roman believers, he instructed them [and us] that “if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Romans 8:17, NLT).
As you do your next fasting, let some of your prayer time be contemplative—imagining the suffering Jesus experienced. Take the sympathy that is naturally felt and try to let it become empathy. Pray with Jesus in the garden at Gethsemane. Groan with Jesus on the cross at Golgotha. Cry out prayers of abandonment in your heart. Call on Our God to complete His mission with us. Go a bit beyond remembering Jesus’ suffering—participate in that holy suffering.
No comments:
Post a Comment