SCRIPTURE: Joel 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. [Joel 1:14]
Joel is speaking against the people of Judah and Jerusalem, telling them of the serious crisis that is coming upon them.
This prophecy may have been triggered by a devastating plague of locusts, which Joel uses as an analogy for invading armies that will one day destroy Jerusalem.
This is a season for fasting, for gathering together and repenting.
God is coming in judgment, and the people should humble themselves and cry out to the Lord for mercy.
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. [Matthew 9:14-15]
Fasting had become an empty symbol of religious piety, the religious leaders practiced it as a performance for everyone to see.
Fasting was synonymous with deep piety, so that is why John’s disciples can’t figure out why Jesus doesn’t preach and practice fasting.
But Jesus points out that this is not a season for fasting; rather it is a season for celebrating, for God is coming (has come) in mercy.
The time for fasting will come, when God’s judgment is revealed against Jesus on the cross, but for now it is not a time for a holy fast or a sacred assembly.
God’s mercy was revealed in Jesus, God’s justice was imposed on the cross, God’s victory was accomplished through the resurrection, and ultimately God’s blessing was poured out on Pentecost.
But all of these things can only be received by humbling oneself before Jesus and accepting Him as God’s provision of grace and mercy.
Repentance is the path through death to self into life in Christ.
In Christ we are restored, in Christ we are forgiven, in Christ we can celebrate.
This does not mean that we no longer need to fast – Jesus still taught fasting.
Fasting for those who are in Christ should be different than it is for those who do not know Him and what He has done – not a fasting of despair but a fasting of renewal.
For the judgment has already been dealt with, the ‘locust army’ of Satan’s fury and sin’s fruit has been unleashed against Jesus – it is finished!
The bridegroom us with us, the day of salvation (not judgment) is upon us.
Now is the time to respond with faith and hope in Jesus!
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6:2]
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to believe that You have taken care of the judgment so that I do not need to fear it.