Friday February 24, 2023
John 12:21
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Ever since early times the church of Christ has fasted during the seven weeks before Easter. The fast has consisted in partial abstinence from food and drink and in complete abstinence from all festivities and amusements.
The purpose of this fast has been that Christians might disentangle themselves as much as possible from earthly things of all kinds in order that they might follow Jesus in His passion with singleness of mind.
It is true that in the course of time much that is unspiritual and un-Biblical has become associated with this fast. But, nevertheless, there is a deep evangelical thought underlying it.
May it not be that many of us evangelical Christians need such a period of fasting? Because of our work, whether it be spiritual or temporal, it is easy for us to become occupied with outward things. No doubt many of us need to dedicate some portion of this year to a deepened appreciation of the meaning of our Savior’s passion.
It would certainly be of value, not only to our own spiritual life, but also to our home, to the communion of saints, yea, also to the unconverted.
Many of us live a weak Christian life. I am not now thinking only of those who bring dishonor to the name of God by dishonesty and deceitfulness. They are, after all, not so numerous.
No, I am now thinking of the many among us who live a very weak and lean Christian life. Here it is not a question of dishonesty. It is a lack of the Holy Spirit. Their inner life has become threadbare and worn.
We who are that way, let us now during these weeks agree to pray for one another. Especially will we pray for this one thing: that we might see Jesus.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 