EMBRACING THE FAST THAT TRANSFORMS

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on his Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:16-21 NIV

This passage of scripture follows a period where Jesus had fasted in the wilderness and had been empowered with the Holy Spirit. Fasting causes physical weakness but results in spiritual strength. The Holy Spirit gave Jesus victory over Satan in the wilderness and lead him to Nazareth. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus entered his hometown synagogue, selected a portion of scripture from Isaiah which declared the fulfillment of the scripture, proclaiming Him as the Messiah.

The wilderness acted as a proving ground where Jesus’s identity as the Son of God was tested and refined. By experiencing extreme hunger and vulnerability, Jesus transformed his ministry into one of love, compassion and empathy. This season allowed him to understand human struggles from a position of shared experiences qualifying him to be a Savior who understands our weaknesses. He had conquered temptation and was ready to embrace the purpose for which the Father had sent him.

Fasting was a way to declare mastery over his human nature so that he would live every moment directed by the “power of the Spirit”. Testing precedes mission, Jesus walked out of the wilderness in the power of the Spirit, showing us that our hardest seasons, when surrendered to God, are often the very seasons that prepare us for the work He’s calling us to do next.

Jesus anointed us with the Holy Spirit so that we can continue His ministry to bring good news to the poor. During this season of Lent, let us allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into a deeper relationship with the Father so that we may be transformed into better servants.

Let us pray:

Holy and merciful Father, we thank for your love,mercy, and grace. During this season of lent, help us to be your hands and feet ministering to your people: encouraging the poor in spirit, comforting the broken hearted, speaking freedom to the bound, and shining a light of hope in dark places. Help us to realize that your freedom, healing, and hope is available for us here and now. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

SUBMITTED BY DEACON JERLENE CRAYTON