Text: Matthew 6: 16-18 (CSB): “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Yesterday we talked about the meaning and purpose of Fasting.
Should we as Christians fast? That is an individual choice and decision. However, as you reread our text verse this morning, consider that Jesus didn’t say if you choose to fast. He says “Whenever….” He is indicating that we are to fast. So often people will misuse the Spiritual Discipline of fasting – they may even seek to impress people that they are super spiritual by fasting. Jesus in this part of the Sermon on the Mount addresses his Disciples about the contrast between the internal and the external. He once again gets to the bottom line – the motive behind our actions.
Jesus starts by looking at the wrong motive for fasting, and He does this by condemning the ones who do it for an outward show – once again He calls them – Hypocrites.
Look again at Matthew 6:16 (CSB) - “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward.” Jesus states that they disfigure their faces to show people they are fasting. Their outward show was to receive the approval of men. They were “play-acting” to receive the praises of people. They were not truly seeking God. They were putting on an external show and did not have the right motive.
So, Jesus gives the Disciples a picture of one who had the right motives for Fasting. He described a Humble believer who fasted with an internal heart for God. Let us reread Matthew 6: 17 – 18(CSB): “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
They comb their hair and wash their faces so only God knows what they are doing. They had the inward attitude that they were focusing on God alone. They were dealing with Him. They had the proper attitude that was conformed to His purpose. They were seeking to be equipped for the battle waged against Satan. They sought insight into God’s direction – help to know the will of God.
Notice the last thing Jesus says about this – then the Father rewards them. They were not fasting intending to persuade God to change His mind. They were not seeking to be more acceptable in God’s eyes. They were not seeking to lose weight.
Fasting – a little known and practiced part of the Christian Church today from the abuses of the past and the misconception that we have to eat three meals a day. Prayerfully consider if God is calling you, this Nation, this World to return to the Spiritual Discipline of Fasting. However, remember that this still comes back to the heart attitude and not an outward show.
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