fasting.. and jesus.?

Question

why did jesus fast for 40 days?
where in the bible does it say?


what are the reasons for someone to fast???

Answer 1

It doesn't say, bt I would have to guess it'd be for the same reasons people fast today - sanctify themselves to become closer to God.
Many do it to not only speak with God, but to hear from him (more clearly) as well. (To get prayers answered)
Here are some biblical references on fasting:

The sole fast required by the law of Moses was that of the great Day of Atonement (q.v.), Leviticus 23:26-32. It is called "the fast" (Acts 27:9).

The only other mention of a periodical fast in the Old Testament is in Zechariah 7:1-7; 8:19, from which it appears that during their captivity the Jews observed four annual fasts.

(1.) The fast of the fourth month, kept on the seventeenth day of Tammuz, the anniversary of the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; to commemorate also the incident recorded Ex. 32:19. (Comp. Jer. 52:6, 7.)

(2.) The fast of the fifth month, kept on the ninth of Ab (comp. Num. 14:27), to commemorate the burning of the city and temple (Jer. 52:12, 13).

(3.) The fast of the seventh month, kept on the third of Tisri (comp. 2 Kings 25), the anniversary of the murder of Gedaliah (Jer. 41:1, 2).

(4.) The fast of the tenth month (comp. Jer. 52:4; Ezek. 33:21; 2 Kings 25:1), to commemorate the beginning of the siege of the holy city by Nebuchadnezzar.

There was in addition to these the fast appointed by Esther (4:16).

Public national fasts on account of sin or to supplicate divine favour were sometimes held. (1.) 1 Sam. 7:6; (2.) 2 Chr. 20:3; (3.) Jer. 36:6-10; (4.) Neh. 9:1.

There were also local fasts. (1.) Judg. 20:26; (2.) 2 Sam. 1:12; (3.) 1 Sam. 31:13; (4.) 1 Kings 21:9-12; (5.) Ezra 8:21-23: (6.) Jonah 3:5-9.

There are many instances of private occasional fasting (1 Sam. 1:7: 20:34; 2 Sam. 3:35; 12:16; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 10:6; Neh. 1:4; Dan. 10:2,3). Moses fasted forty days (Ex. 24:18; 34:28), and so also did Elijah (1 Kings 19:8). Our Lord fasted forty days in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2).

In the lapse of time the practice of fasting was lamentably abused (Isa. 58:4; Jer. 14:12; Zech. 7:5). Our Lord rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocritical pretences in fasting (Matt. 6:16). He himself appointed no fast. The early Christians, however, observed the ordinary fasts according to the law of their fathers (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:5).

Answer 2

Some history about Lent (40 days) on http://www.annieshomepage.com/lent.html.
Also some info on Jesus' fast in the wilderness at
http://www.sundayschoollessons.com/lent1les.htm.

Short fasts (not as long as 40 days!) can help cleanse the blood and body of toxins, but it's a very important to study up on how to do it properly so no harm is done to the body. Some people fast for religious reasons as well.

Answer 3

I dont know why but it can be found in either Mattew 3 or 4.

In the Bible people would fast because of great anguish or sorrow. Another reson is to grow closer to God. People say that when you fast you are not distractd by food but when i dont eat I get pretty distracted by hunger but that might be a personal thing.

Answer 4

Well, we know from Exodus that the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years a short time after crossing the Red Sea. Their crossing of the Red Sea symbolized a baptism. Jesus was baptized by John and then fasted in the wilderness for forty days.
He was the perfect representative for all of Israel. He succeeded where they failed.

Answer 5

Jesus fasted those amount of days because he knew what fate was going to be bestowed upon him, and he needed strength to endure.

When we fast as humans, we are showing God that we mean business by denying ourselves something we have each day-food. He knows that we are serious when we give up something to get his attention.

Answer 6

HE was so busy PRAYING and Communicating with THE FATHER that HE did not take time or bother thinking about food.

THAT is what FASTING really is about!

To Fast as a religious exercise is NOT Christian!

Anything we do is like "Filthy Rags" as far as impressing THE GOD/JESUS!

Answer 7

i fast for a month every year during Ramadan. fasting makes the rich equal to the poor, helps us realize what others go through being without food and drink. fasting is good for relaxing the stomach muscles, and self control. fasting makes us more thankful for the food God provides us, and the water we drink. if the only thing a person gains from fasting is hunger, then their fast was not a productive one. i am a Muslim, i am not familiar with Christian fasting.

Answer 8

Gluttony makes a man gloomy and fearful, but fasting makes him joyful and courageous.
And, as gluttony calls forth greater and greater gluttony, so fasting stimulates greater and greater endurance.
When a man realizes the grace that comes through fasting, he desires to fast more and more.
And the graces that come through fasting are countless....

~Saint Nikolai of Zicha~

Answer 9

The purpose of fasting is not to make you become hungry but to let you concentrate on God. In my opinion, Jesus doesn't require us to fast. He is showing an example of how we should be when we think about God's word (putting everything aside to talk to him). You can read the story in Luke 4.

Answer 10

The Catholics, to my knowledge, are the only ones to fast regularly. There are, of course certain Christian-led organizations that fast for causes, like the 30-hour Hunger. The Catholic version, anyway, is to purify one's self to become more Godly. That, however isn't fasting...just giving up CERTAIN foods.