Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16-18
Could You Imagine The Pharisees?
Seems almost comical thinking of the Pharisees disfiguring their faces walking around town, letting everyone know they are fasting, as if they are super holy. I could imagine them holding their gut like a hypochondriac as if they were about to die. This little piece of Scripture really gives us some insight into their mentality. It seems everything they did, they did to be observed by people. Nothing was sincere or authentic. Like so many religions today, do they even believe in God or did they take the place of God?
Fasting Instructions
Think of the fasting instructions that Yeshua provided for us. Nothing we do should be to seek attention and admiration from our fellow man. Think of when Peter, Paul and the other Apostles were given the great commission and people started their idolization of the Apostles. The Apostles were like, NO, don't do that, we are just men like you with a message. Over and over again the Apostles would emphasise that they were only fellow workers with the rest of us, we are all in the same boat so to speak. Of course the Apostles followed the fasting instructions of Yeshua throughout their life.
Why Fast?
There are many reasons to fast, yet, we are given some insight about #fasting in the scriptures. Yeshua likens fasting to #mourning, check out this scripture.
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Matthew 9:15
Everyone knows that fasting is not the most enjoyable thing to do. We see here that people fast when they mourn, this is natural isn't it? How many times have you heard someone say, "I can't eat" after something horrific happens to them. You could only imagine when Yeshua was Crucified the Apostles would of said something similar. It is almost like a reflex so that you cannot eat when horrible things happen.
Autophagy
When you fast for 24 hours or more something strange happens in your body, it starts to consume itself. This is called "Autophagy". When this happens the body then starts consuming fat, mutated dead cells, scar tissue and a lot of junk and garbage throughout the body. Depending on the junk within the body this could take days, weeks or even months.
Digestive System Shut Down
During a fast, the digestive system will shut down slowly. This is a good thing, many people never give their digestive system a break. Yet, if food is not introduced to the digestive system, it simply sleeps. For extended fasts of several days or more, when a person begins to consume again they must start out with bone broth and very light and easy things on the digestion. Since the digestive system has shut down a gradual restart is necessary.
Types of Fast
Intermittent Fasting
There are several different kinds of fasts that you can do, all are beneficial. The most popular one is intermittent fasting. Basically, a person gives themself a narrow window to consume food, anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours. During this time they let themselves eat to satisfaction and then cease consuming food until the next window. Most of the time the people doing intermittent fasting allow themselves to drink water, coffee or tea during their fasting times.
Dry Fasting
Dry fasting is where a person does not consume anything, no water, no food. This is believed to be the kind of fast Yeshua had in the wilderness and that Moses experienced. This is the most brutal of all fasts and some may have died as a result of it.
Liquid Fast
A Liquid fast is very popular. This versatile fast will almost let you drink anything while you are fasting. The only thing that you cannot do is eat solid food. Of course if you are drinking milk shakes, soda pop, beer, milk, or things like this you will not benefit much from your fast.
Water Fast
A water fast is a lot more strict, however, there is some debate as to one drinking coffee and tea if they violate the water fast. Yet, it is your fast, so you make the rules. If you want to do strictly water than do strickly water. If you feel you need some boost, then add black coffee or unsweetened tea of some sort.
Disciples Fast
As disciples of Yeshua, we are supposed to fast, however, this is something that we do not tell or share. Like our prayers, it is a private matter between you and God. You should not be praying in public or on video in front of public. There are different variations of fasts and whatever you choose, brush your hair, wash your face and hands, anoint yourself with oil. Do not appear to be fasting to men, keep it private because that is where God watches from.
Everything You Do Should Be Private
Now let's get into this matter of publicity. Do not seek it! The WAY is a private thing, being a Jew is a private matter. All Israel is hidden from view. The Israel you think you know, is not Israel at all and the Jerusalem you think you know, is not Jerusalem at all. How can I tell you? Eden, Israel, Jerusalem, Zion, are all heavenly things, heavenly terms. The places on earth were lent those names as a representation for the coming Heavenly Messiah, Yeshua. When He came and left, so did the spirit of those places. Now the great mystery, is we are the Temple, we are Israel, those that follow the WAY and our LORD Yeshua. All these places were created so that you may see the representation of Heaven and the order there. However, as you can plainly see on the Temple mount, there is nothing there that represents our God.
The Clear View With Fasting
As you body naturally cleans out all the junk in it during a fast, something extraordinary happens. Yes, you are experiencing hunger pains but on about day 3 of a good fast they go away. It seems like a spiritual sense is heightened almost like a person close to death. You become more sensitive to the world around you, your blood is being cleansed, your mind is being cleared, your prayers become more real and your dreams more lucid. After day 3 most people get their energy back even more so before the fast started. An extended fast is a remarkable experience and a great achievement. Seek professional help before undertaking an extended fast. You can start out with the intermittent fasting and then move up from there. That is a solid plan.
Shalom Shalom