It is not uncommon for people to fast for spiritual reasons, but Jesus’ fast was quite extreme. Why did Jesus choose to fast for 40 days? What did he hope to achieve? To find out more about why Jesus fasted for 40 days, keep reading. . . .
If you are feeling led to fast, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
- First, fasting is not required of Christians. It is a voluntary act of worship and obedience.
- Second, fasting should not be done to earn God’s favor or to gain personal righteousness.
- Third, when you fast, you should do so with a humble and contrite heart, seeking God’s will for your life.
- And fourth, be sure to consult with your doctor before undertaking any sort of extended fast, as it can be dangerous to your health. . . .
While we may not know exactly why Jesus chose to fast for 40 days, we can be sure that he had a purpose.
Here are 10 possible reasons why Jesus may have chosen to fast for 40 days
1. To prepare for his public ministry: With Bible Reference
Jesus fasted for 40 days before he began his public ministry. This was likely a time of intense prayer and preparation for the work that lay ahead.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is often misunderstood. Some people see it as a way to earn God’s favor or to gain personal righteousness. But the Bible tells us that fasting is simply a way to set our minds and hearts on God. When we fast, we humble ourselves before God and turn our focus away from the things of this world. We deny our fleshly desires and set our sights on things that are eternal.
Jesus’ example reminds us that fasting is not about self-denial for the sake of self-denial. It is about turning our hearts and minds toward God. When we fast, we align ourselves with God’s priorities and principles. We say to God, “Your will be done.”
2. To resist Satan’s temptations:
After 40 days of fasting, Jesus was tempted by Satan. It is possible that he was testing Jesus, knowing that he was weak from hunger (Matthew 4:1-11). But Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations by quoting Scripture. He showed us that the Word of God is our greatest weapon against temptation.
When we fast, we are weakening our flesh and putting ourselves in a position to be more reliant on God. We are saying, “God, I need you. I can’t do this on my own.” This humility makes us more receptive to God’s leading and less susceptible to Satan’s temptations.
3. To symbolize the 40 years of wandering:
The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness before finally entering the Promised Land. This was a time of testing and preparation for them. In the same way, Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness were a time of testing and preparation. He was preparing himself for his public ministry and he was also preparing us for the life to come.
The time Jesus spent in the wilderness was a time of testing and preparation. He was preparing himself for his public ministry and he was also preparing us for the life to come.
Just as the Israelites went through a time of testing and preparation before entering the Promised Land, so too did Jesus prepare us for eternal life.
By spending 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus showed us that he is the one who will lead us into our eternal home.
4. To identify with our humanness
Jesus was fully human. He experienced everything that we experience – joy, sorrow, love, hatred, temptation, and more.
By fasting for 40 days, Jesus identified with our human condition. He showed us that he understands what we are going through. He is not some distant God who is unapproachable and unknowable. He is a God who knows us intimately and cares deeply for us.
5. To prepare for his passion
Fasting was a common practice among those who were about to embark on a difficult journey. By fasting for 40 days, Jesus may have been preparing himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
This was also a time of contemplation and self-reflection. For Jesus, this may have been a time to reflect on his purpose and mission. He knew that he was about to embark on a journey that would lead to his death. But he also knew that through his sacrifice, many would be saved.
6. To show his obedience to God
Jesus was obedient to God in all things, and fasting was no exception. By fasting for 40 days, Jesus was demonstrating his complete trust and obedience to God. He was also setting an example for us to follow. When we fast, we are showing our obedience to God and our trust in him. We are also following Jesus’ example of self-denial and self-discipline.
Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that can help us grow in our relationship with God. When we deny ourselves food, we are reminded of our dependence on God. We are also reminded of the needs of others. As we fast, we should be praying for those in need, both around the world and in our own lives. Fasting can help us to become more compassionate people.
7. To intercede for the people:
It is possible that Jesus was fasting in order to intercede for the people. He may have been praying for their forgiveness and salvation. He may have also been praying for strength and wisdom for himself and for those who would follow him.
When we fast, we can intercede for the needs of others. We can pray for their salvation, healing, and protection. We can also pray for strength and wisdom for ourselves and for those who are in positions of influence. As we fast, we should be asking God to work in our lives and in the lives of others.
8. To gain clarity:
Fasting can often help to clear the mind and provide clarity on important decisions. Jesus may have used this time of fasting to gain clarity on his mission and purpose. He may have also used it to seek guidance from God on how to best serve the people.
When we fast, we can ask God to provide us with clarity on important decisions. We can also ask for guidance on how to best serve others. Fasting can help us to focus on what is most important and to make wise decisions.
9. To grow in holiness:
By fasting, Jesus was able to grow in holiness. He was able to set aside the distractions of the world and focus on his relationship with God. This time of self-denial helped to make him more holy and more like God.
When we fast, we can also grow in holiness. We can set aside the things of this world and focus on our relationship with God. We can pray for the strength to deny ourselves the things we want. As we do, we will become more holy and more like God.
10. To unite himself with the Suffering Servant:
Isaiah 53 tells us that the Suffering Servant was “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities.” By fasting for 40 days, Jesus was uniting himself with the Suffering Servant. He was identifying with those who were suffering. He was also preparing himself for his own suffering and death.
When we fast, we can unite ourselves with the Suffering Servant. We can identify with those who are suffering. We can pray for them and ask God to help them. We can also prepare ourselves for our own suffering and death.
These are just my thoughts on why Jesus may have chosen to fast for 40 days. I don’t claim to know for sure why he did it, but I think these reasons make sense.
Do you have any other thoughts on this topic? I’d love to hear them!
