While we are about two weeks out from Easter, I still have images in my mind from readings during the Lenten fast. Christians who practice this discipline know that it’s a very sacred experience. Not one to be casually partaken of. It is a time when we dig deep within to seek understanding of what’s and why’s of Jesus’ sacrifice. We know He did not work this plan alone. We also know that as His journey neared closer to the crucifixion day, it was quickly recognized that there was a time where there was no doubt that He was truly at a point of no return.
At the outset of the Lenten fast I resolved that there were some things/habits that needed to be pressed down. One in particular on this short list – extra sweets. The savory flavors of apple pies, apple crisps, stewed apple cinnamon treats, fried apple pie, extra sweetened apples had to be slayed! Not only apples but peaches with a little extra – SWEET added to them for peach cobbler, southern peach pie and the list goes on!
While these were only a couple of my comfort foods that reminded me of childhood in the country…too much of it was not good for my physical body nor my spirit! I needed a different kind of food for my spirit. The battle of the Sweet vs. Spirit had to be taken more seriously.
Those apple pies and peach cobblers had taken the stage! Something had to be done. In fact, it was so serious by the time the Lord got through to me, that I started the month before Ash Wednesday! It was that serious. You see some may say, “Oh it’s just an apple pie.” Or one may say, “there’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence every now and then.” And while apple pie or peach cobbler isn’t considered a misdemeanor, nor is it listed as one of the Ten Commandments, it only takes a little at a time to do long term damage to one’s spirit.
To overindulge in anything can become problematic. After all it only takes a little leaven. While there are several examples of using a little leaven to ruin the batch/lump, in my fasting experience this Easter season, leaven meant a little too much – SUGAR!
In Galatians 5:9, the apostle Paul uses the “leaven” metaphor to compare the effects of false teaching in the church to the results of yeast in bread dough.” Paul wants the church to understand that a little bit of leaven (false teaching) will infiltrate the hearts and minds of those in the church until the entire church is contaminated.
Then he uses the metaphor again in 1 Corinthians 5:6–7. If you read a few verses prior, you will see that Paul addresses sin as the “leaven”. They struggled with the sin of pride. Paul is concerned about the moral corruption of the church of Corinth and wants to protect them from the imminent disaster to come. In a recent study from “Got Questions” this point is made:
Their arrogant attitude of tolerating an appalling sin in the church posed a severe threat. Allowing one believer to continue unchecked in a blatant transgression would have a devastating impact on the entire church. Paul asks, “Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough?” (1 Corinthians 5:6, NLT).
Paul is adamant. The church must deal with the person’s sin. A single member’s sin affects the entire body because we are all collective parts of one whole (1 Corinthians 12:12–26).
Let’s bring it home, rather than see this concept from the Church (building/group of people) perspective, the Lord reminded me that the church was in me, the church was me. You see it only takes a little “SUGAR” to affect the whole body. I still love the savory sweet fruit pies, but the Holy Spirit helps me to continually press it down.
In order to heal, restore, and keep my body aligned and most importantly centered in Christ so I could be an effective disciple, I had to get a few things in check. Then and only then could I “be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
The metaphor Paul uses of the little leaven leavening the whole batch is rooted in the act of Christ’s sacrifice as it is tied to the Passover. Paul finally says, “For Chris, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God who died on the cross with His blood being spilled to protect us from God’s wrath. It was this same act by the Hebrews when blood (from the Passover lamb) was spread over their doorframes to protect them from death in Egypt (Exodus 12:7).
It is not uncommon for Harvey and me to fast, especially during this time of year. And each time we fast something about us changes for the better. But this year was different. It resulted in an uncommon mindset as we approached Easter Sunday. We found that our attitude about food, returning to things as usual, and what we expose our mind and body to had drastically changed. All that chocolate that friends shared in gift bags, or just out of the kindness of their “SWEET” hearts, is deeply buried in the DEEP freezer out of sight. It is a fleeting thought these days.
I still must pray for help even now. However, it’s a little easier because the Holy Spirit taught us how to better manage those desires. I still look forward to a special time when I can enjoy a slice of apple crisp or dark chocolate. In the meantime, I thank God for our Savior Jesus Christ who has already gone before me teaching me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). The same Spirit that resided in Jesus during His walk on earth, is the same Spirit residing in me. In my (man’s power) own power, it is impossible to overcome, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). As believers, we are overcomers who can joyfully say, “I am okay at this point of no return.”
