Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen?”
God, in Isaiah 58:6
Just as Jesus had invisible food to eat (Jn. 4:31-34), so his manner of fasting was invisible to the flesh. The only kind of fasting that God recognizes or blesses is described in detail in Isaiah 58, which describes a fasting from wickedness and pride and callousness toward the poor and suffering. Every other kind of fasting is vain.
When Jesus said that those who worship God must worship him in spirit and in truth, the manner of fasting was included. If our fasting is not in spirit and according to truth, it is in the flesh, and what good is that? Jesus said “the flesh profits nothing” (Jn. 6:63). And if the flesh profits nothing, then merely fasting from fleshly food can only be even more worthless. If we are to fast, let us fast from the things God hates.