Whenever you do something revolutionary for the first time, there is always the question in the back of your mind…’ is this just an experiment that is doomed to fail?’ ‘Or, will a life giving habit emerge when this is all said and done?’
More about that in a second.
First though, have you ever wondered where the LAST mention of fasting is located in scripture? Here it is.
“Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust” Acts 14:23
1 major thing strikes me about this fasting passage… (1) Paul and Barnabas were the recipients of spiritually focused leadership when they were sent out. Acts 13:3 ‘… so after more prayer and fasting, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.” Paul and Barnabas were now the ‘leadership’ overseeing the new works that were started during the first missionary journey. But as itinerant missionaries they had no intent on settling down in any given city. But in order to keep the work of God strong and sustainable, Paul and Barnabas needed to release leaders (elders) to oversee the work.
So they used the same process of fasting to secure a sense of safety that the right men were in place.
It’s easy for me to practice intense spirituality when I begin something … or if I am the recipient of something … but I find it hard to maintain that focus, especially if it benefits or applies to someone else… as the last week of our fast unfolds I ‘m asking myself, “what are my take always?” …. or more importantly, ”what spiritual experiments will now become my spiritual ‘habits?‘.
Also, did you notice in the Acts 14:23 passage, that Paul and Barnabas “turned the elders over to the care of the Lord…..”
it doesn’t say , “they turned the church over to the care of the elders” This verse shows the true nature and theology of biblical leadership, that leaders must feel cared for … by the Lord…before they can care properly for the people. That’s a beautiful picture.
stay true .. stay tuned!
Pastor Scott,
I really appreciate this passage and your observation of training up and committing the leaders to the care of the Lord so they can effectively and appropriately minister to the people (church) of that area. It is the antithesis of Isaiah 56:9 – 57:3.
The end of 56 describes spiritually worthless watchmen and shepherds of God’s people. The watchmen are: blind, without knowledge, dumb dogs who cannot bark, lazy. The shepherds are: without understanding, turned toward their own way and gain, lovers of wine (Epicurean in nature). As a result 57 describes the result of their leadership (or abdication of it) on God’s people – the people perish and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away while no one understands.
Jesus himself in John’s gospel (Ch 10) describes hirelings who claim to lead but flee when the wolf comes. Unless the leader is in Jesus (the Great Shepherd) and sensitive to the Spirit, he has no value. It is so important to establish the right people with the right love of the Lord in leadership positions and “commit” them to the Lord for their nurture and direction.
Thanks,
Steve