DAYS OF AWE (4) WHY FAST?

On Sunday, September 20, 2026 at sunset until Monday, September 21, 2026 at sunset (Tishrei 9 – 10 of the Hebraic calendar,) many Christians, as well as all devout Jews, will be participating in a fast. This fast is called The Day of Atonement. The set-aside day is an appointed day which honors God. It is considered the most sacred day of the Hebraic calendar.

WHY FAST ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT?

A “fast” is a set aside amount of time to go without food or water. If a fast is held for religious reasons, it is done with reverent and careful prayer. This begins by communicating your needs to God and/or addressing certain subjects for which you are seeking answers from God.

Of course, some will ask; Isn’t this only a Jewish observance? Why would Christians want to participate in such a thing? Also, why on this particular day?

MOST PEOPLE DO NOT FAST OPENLY

Perhaps people wonder because a lot of times fasts are not openly discussed or talked about in public. There are several good reasons. For instance, we might consider the words of Matthew 6:16-18.

When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

FROM JESUS TO US

It was Jesus who said those words. Obviously, fasting is usually between an individual and God. It is also usually done in private for a specific reason between the person and God. Rarely will you hear of Christians or Jews fasting publicly and openly. That is because God doesn’t want fasting to be a show.

ONCE EACH YEAR A PUBLIC FAST IS HELD

There is only one time a year when most Christians and Jews openly fast in public. This is the Day of Atonement. This fast is different from all other fasts. It is commanded by God, This particular fast it is done for a very specific reason. Jesus gave reasons for fasting which are better than anyone else’s reasons. Here is the reason that He gave. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

A DISCIPLE PRACTICES SELF-DENIAL

It is important to note, by fasting we practice self-denial. The above scriptures clearly state that self-denial is a requirement for becoming a disciple of Christ. This time called The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur is a day to turn our attention from our own needs toward God’s needs.

Yes – God DOES have needs.  He needs for us to make the right choices involved in bringing about The Kingdom of Heaven. Are we capable of doing that? On The Day of Atonement we are trying to focus on searching our souls in order to be more pleasing to our Creator.

There is no better way to please God than to imitate Jesus. This is what fasting does. He gave up all he had on this earth in order to save our souls. He willingly laid down his life for us. It was not commanded of him. He freely gave himself away. That is true self-denial. Self-denial and/or fasting is being willing to think of others above one’s self in order to bring glory to God.

SUBMITTING TO DISCIPLINE

Our fasting presents our willingness to submit to discipline. Some of us have a lot to overcome. It isn’t easy.

During the month of Elul we have gone through a season of confession and turning. This is completed in order to satisfy the holiness God requires of his faithful servants. Often though, the pull of the world is too heavy. Some of us find ourselves fighting demons and spirits in order to give up the things that require self-denial.

Fasting makes our human will stronger. It helps us to overcome. Fasting strengthens us to walk away from addictions, lust, prideful ways, or anything that has an earthly pull on our wrong desires.

THE POWER TO RESIST TEMPTATIONS

This is a total mystery, but the tool of fasting makes us stronger. It gives us the power we need to resist such temptations. We can read about this in Matthew 17:14-21.

When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.”

And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them “Because of the littleness of your faith, for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Got any mountains to move in your own life?

DO YOU HAVE ANY MOUNTAINS TO MOVE?

Did God really command us to keep this once a year public fast in order that we could realize for ourselves the power of fasting? I wonder. Did He want to increase our faith? Is He waiting to see who is willing to be obedient by trusting Him for answers? Could He be watching to see who will live by doing what He says without questions?

I do wonder.

GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS TOOL BOX

When you were only a child, did you love the privilege of playing with your Father’s tools?  Did he ever let you take his tools out of the tool box and see what you could do with them? By the Day of Atonement most of us have been confessing hard sins and trying to turn away from them. I’m sure many will slip up and sin again, even after these confessions.

Some sins are just too hard for us to let go of, but God gives us this tool called “fasting.” We all would do well to use what we have been given.

A PHYSICAL ACT THAT ACCOMPLISHES A SPIRITUAL BLESSING

In ancient times, the High Priest would lay his hands on the head of a goat who was led into the wilderness to bear away the sins of the people. This is what Yeshua Messiah did for us – he was our “sin-bearer.”

Laying the sins upon the goat and leading him away was a physical act which accomplished a spiritual blessing. Yeshua’s physical death (and Resurrection) brought us relief from spiritual condemnation and death.

Fasting is also a physical thing that can accomplish spiritual results. The demonic and evil influences we are often exposed to in the world cannot hold up to the power of an act of faithful obedience to God. God grants the strength needed to break strong-holds and release prisoners from the sins of the world.

THE LEAST THAT WE CAN DO

We come seeking atonement. The blood of Yeshua Messiah provides that atonement. It is a free gift. However, we must present our petitions before God with confessions. Humble confession must be done honorably and in obedience. God knows the intents of our hearts.

It is a long struggle sometimes. Sitting through 24-26 hours of going without food and water can feel hard. However, this is nothing compared to what Yeshua Messiah bore on the cross for us.

This once a year day of corporate prayer is the least we can do to give God the glory for all the joy to come. He looks after His servants who faithfully follow-through, keep His commandments the best they can, and strive to overcome the world through the power of the blood of Christ.

A DESIRE TO SHOW GRACE AND LOVE

Grace and love have been called the greatest tools for overcoming sin. They are signs that mark the true disciples of Christ. Physically coming before God displays our desire to show grace and love. We are mimicking what He has done for us.

In the whole overall picture of what God has so lovingly done for us, this little bit of fasting is a very samll thing. Victory comes in the split second after atonement. Let us hold on until we arrive in that place of joy that makes this season complete.