Good Friday, April 7, 2023
“24-Hour Fast”
The 24-hour fasting day has returned for its’ second time during the Lenten Challenges. The first appearance this Season was a week ago (Friday, March 31, 2023). If we succeeded last week, we can do it again. If we blew it last week, this is the day of redemption since we’ll get a second chance today.
In case you didn’t know, Good Friday (today) is probably the most popular fasting day of the year. Lots of folks will be practicing some form of fasting today, as well as making other sacrifices. We are at the first day of Easter weekend when Good Friday is identified as the day of Jesus’ death, Holy Saturday represents a full day in the tomb for Jesus’ body, and Easter Sunday is the day of Jesus’ resurrection.
It’s because of the events of this upcoming weekend that we practice fasting. For today’s Challenge, we are removing food from our diets for 24 hours, but all beverages are allowed. Some of us are medically required to eat; in those cases, do something that puts a dent in the day, like praying for 30 minutes (without falling asleep) or reading an entire Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John).
The purpose of today’s Challenge is to call attention to the sacrifice God makes on our behalf. Pain, suffering, and death were Jesus’ experiences on Good Friday. The least we can do is make a sacrifice significant enough that it causes us to think about the greatness of God’s love and mercy. If God didn’t love us that much, there would be no reason for a Good Friday. Instead, we’d just go about our business of being selfish and ungrateful, ignoring the needs around us to fulfill our own wants and needs.
But not today. Today, we remember what God did for us. Begin your 24-hour fast and give glory to God!
“That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and passionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.” (Joel 2:12-13, NLT)
