The Forty Days of Fasting

Continued👆🏽 The forty days of fasting that Christ undertook are a sign of our own pilgrimage toward the heavenly inheritance, as He has prepared the way for us. The grain and wine, symbols of Christ’s body and blood, nourish us and give us strength for the journey of salvation. 5. Israel’s Wanderings and the Kingdom of Heaven In the wilderness, Israel wandered for forty years before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33). This period of wandering was a time of purification and testing. Similarly, when we fast for forty days, we too undergo a period of purification, a time to cleanse our hearts and minds. Just as the Israelites entered the Promised Land after their trials, so too will we enter the Kingdom of Heaven through the purification of fasting. 6. Elijah’s Fast and the Ascent to Heaven The prophet Elijah also fasted for forty days and forty nights before reaching Mount Horeb, where he encountered the presence of God (1 Kings 19:7-8). Elijah’s fast is significant in that it points to the ascension of the soul into the presence of God. Just as Elijah ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire, so too, through fasting, we are prepared for our own ascent into the heavenly realm. If we fast with devotion, we, like Elijah, will be drawn closer to God, and in the end, we too will ascend to eternal life. 7. Ezekiel’s Symbolic Fasting The prophet Ezekiel lay on his side for forty days to bear the iniquity of Israel (Ezekiel 4:4-5). Through this act of fasting, Ezekiel symbolically took on the sins of the people, pointing to Christ, who would bear the sins of the world through His death on the Cross. In the same way, our fasting is a participation in the suffering of Christ, who bore our sins in His body. Through this, we are purified and made ready for the glory that is to come. 8. The Revelation of Divine Mysteries Through Fasting Ezra, the priest, is another example of fasting for forty days and nights. While fasting, he received the wisdom to write the sacred scriptures, revealing divine truths (Ezra 10:6). When we fast, the secrets of the Scriptures are opened to us as well. Our minds are cleared from worldly distractions, allowing us to receive the light of God’s Word in its fullness. Through fasting, the divine mysteries are revealed to us, just as they were to Ezra. 9. The Renewal of the Soul The fasting of the serpent, who sheds its skin after forty days without food, is another image we can consider. When the serpent renews itself, it symbolically points to the renewal of our own souls. Through the practice of fasting, we, too, shed the old self, and are transformed into new creations in Christ. We are renewed in the image of our Creator, and through this transformation, we partake in the divine nature. 10. The Restoration of Sonship and Entry into Paradise Finally, Adam, our first father, received the grace of sonship and was admitted to Paradise on the fortieth day. Through the fasting of Christ, we too are restored to our rightful place in Paradise. Just as Adam fell due to his disobedience, Christ, the New Adam, fasted and through His obedience, restored us to the joy of eternal life. Conclusion: The Profound Meaning of Forty Days Brothers and sisters, the forty-day fast is a time of purification, a time to prepare our souls for the eternal blessings that God has promised to those who love Him. Through the example of the holy prophets, especially Moses, Elijah, and Ezekiel, we learn that fasting is not merely a physical act but a spiritual discipline that prepares us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. As we fast, let us remember that we are not only following in the footsteps of Christ but also partaking in His victory over sin and death. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance