There is a real sense in which Jesus fasted on our behalf. The gospels record for us that Jesus has one final meal with his disciples on the night he was betrayed and arrested. According to the record, he did not eat any food all that next day. While on the cross, Jesus said that he was thirsty. He was given some really disgusting wine vinegar to wet his lips. Otherwise, nothing of any substance. And then he died. So we would understand that fasting as portrayed throughout the Old Testament was really a symbol that pointed forward to the Christ’s fast on the day of his death.
And allow me to just clue you in on something right now: Everything in the Old Testament points forward to Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
Why is it important for us to know that Jesus fasted throughout the day he died? Because when he died, he died for us. He died in our place. So when he fasted throughout that day, he fasted for us. He fasted in our place. When Jesus suffered throughout that day, he suffered for us. He suffered in our place. As Isaiah declared: “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.”
And…he fasted so that we would feast. As the apostle John wrote: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready…Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”
And hear this…you’re invited, too.
