Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning.
Text: John 15:26-16:4
Jesus tells His disciples: "Don't be shocked by the suffering that is coming" and "I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away" (16:1). In the original language, the word for "falling away" means to "trip up" or "cause to stumble." Jesus knew His disciples would soon experience confusion and doubt once the persecution began. He was warning and preparing them so they wouldn't end up like Judas and fall away. He stresses that they must "remember" all He has told them in this farewell speech.
Pain and suffering are an important, even necessary, part of learning to trust Jesus. All that was to happen to Jesus' disciples was not in the way of God's plan. Jesus didn't warn them in order for them to avoid the coming suffering. He warned them so that when it happened, they would know it was part of the plan. As a result of remembering, they did not fall away. In fact, they went far and wide preaching the message of the risen Jesus. They suffered greatly for their faith, and nearly all gave their lives for the gospel.
The purpose of fasting is to take your eyes off the things of this world and focus more on God. This requires self-denial. Some teach that fasting is a practical way for us to prepare ourselves spiritually for suffering that we will experience in the future. Paul reminded Timothy of the inevitable reality of suffering when he wrote, "Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).
I pray you will join your church family during this season of Lent and commit to a season of prayer and fasting. As I mentioned yesterday, the Lent devotions written by our leaders and spouses are available in the church app. If you prefer a hard copy,
For a fuller understanding of FASTING and/or LENT, click on the links.
