What Happened On The 38Th Day Of Jesus's Fast

As the year ends and the new year begins, I bring to you an important life principle. This principle has been demonstrated across generations by various great men who have worked this earth. And our Lord Jesus Christ in his human nature, demonstrated this in a remarkable way - a way that makes many wonder if He was truly a man in the same sense as we are. But He was truly a man and worked this earth as a man to demonstrate to us what man is capable of in words, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

We all know about Jesus's 40-day fast and what happened at the end of the fasting period. Apostle Matthew wrote: '..And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.'' (Matthew 4:2-3). We can see Jesus was very hungry at the end of his fast, to the extent that Satan thought he could exploit such intense hunger to mislead the master. Of Course, the devil failed. Jesus, though hungry, refused to satisfy it the devil's way. This alone is already a great lesson for me. But then, what happened during the fast?

Was Jesus only hungry after the fast? The answer is no. It is logical to believe he was hungry every other day during the fasting period. And if you had engaged in a fast, you will agree with me that you didn't only feel hungry at the end, but you were also hungry during the fast period. But you had a target, and so ignored the hunger until the accomplishment of the target duration. That is exactly what Jesus did. If Jesus was that hungry after the 40th day, it does show us that the long fast was not a walkover. Ordinarily, he would have stopped earlier because of how difficult it was, but he didn't. It would have been quite tough on the 38th day but still Jesus continued for another two days. Showing us how we can insist on achieving a worthy goal against all odds.

I remember the first time I decided to fast for 24 hours while I was in Secondary School. It was so tough, I was so hungry that I couldn't even sleep. But nothing could change my mind. I set my mind on the goal, and won't back out until the accomplishment of it. And I did it! The good thing is that it becomes quite easier afterward. It is important to insist on achieving your God-given goals, despite possible discouragements and challenges. You may be tempted to give up on your 38th day, but the purpose of this article is to encourage you not to give in. Keep pushing, the end of the tunnel may be right before you. Jesus' words in Matthew 6:62 challenge us to keep on it, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'

I remember some people who had extra years during their undergraduate. Some of them refused to give in, came back to the school, and passed all their pending courses. Some others didn't, and though they were so close to getting the degree, they never got it. We should learn to insist on accomplishing goals, when you do, you're encouraged to do even bigger things. Like Jesus, set your mind on the end and refuse to yield to the discouragement along the path: 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.' (Hebrews 12:2). Same way Paul demonstrated determination saying, 'I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 3:14)