Fasting

21. July 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:  Welcome back from the weekend.  Today, Jesus talks about fasting.  

Our text is:  Matthew 6:16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. “As you can see, the line of reasoning is the exact same as prayer.  One of the problems in the ancient world with the religious leaders was their hypocrisy.  Often times, things were not done for the sake of establishing and growing their relationship with God but simply to have people think that they were “super spiritual” and that they were successful with keeping the ordinances of the faith when they often found themselves struggling.     Jesus often rebuked the religious leaders for punishing and condemning people for their failure in keeping the law  and making others believe that they were always successful in thier spiritual journey. 

The issue that he now addresses is fasting.  Jesus gives us a picture of how people were fasting.  They would have this somber look on their face and disfigure their faces so that people would inquire as to what was wrong so that they could “piously” inform them of their “spiritual” sacrifice of fasting.  They wanted acknowledgement for the act of fasting therefore making it ineffective in achieving true spiritual goals.    Jesus teaches that they have already received their reward.  Again, just as in prayer, what ever satisfaction you received when you have made people aware that you are fasting is the payment for your sacrifice.   In other words, you are wasting your time.  If it is not directed towards God, you are simply starving yourself and will receive no benefits from God. 

Jesus teaches that when we fast, we are to anoint our head and wash our face so that it will not appear to men that we are fasting for it is a private matter between us and God.   It is to be done in secret only God should know and the text says that when God sees it, God will reward.    Think about it, when men see it, they can not offer you any type of reward for you’re fasting for spiritual purposes and only God can accommodate those requests.     

There is something about our ego, which for some reason needs recognition from our peers and leaders of our efforts.   The ironic thing in all of this is that when we fast the right way and as unto the Lord, people will know that you are different and that you have been with “God” without you having to tell. Tomorrow, we talk about laying up treasures.  This topic actually leads into one of my favorite scriptures.     God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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