The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew - Fasting - Part 1

 

Text: Matthew 6:16-18 – “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Moving from Prayer to the topic of Fasting. Jesus often puts these two topics together. If we struggle with daily prayer, I am willing to bet in our culture of today we really struggle with the concept of fasting. Today, let us consider some basics about fasting, and then tomorrow we will dissect this passage. 

Let us consider the Hebrew and Greek words used and translated fasting. The Hebrew word is “tsom,” and means self-denial. The Greek word “nesteia” refers also to self-denial. So, the two testaments are consistent with what they are referring to. It is believed the concept started with the loss of appetite that accompanies great distress and duress. It is one of the natural expressions of grief. We are going to consider what fasting is not intended to do, and what it is intended to do.

What Fasting is not intended to do. It is not intended to persuade God to change His mind. It will not make you more acceptable in God’s eyes. And, even though it is used as a weight-loss method, God’s fasts are not done to lose weight.

So, what is the intention of Fasting? First, fasting prepares us with the proper attitude so that we are conformed to His purpose. Fasting cleanses us. It cleanses the body, the mind, and the soul. Fasting equips us for the battle we wage against Satan. We today often forget that the battle we face is not in the physical world, but in the spiritual. Fasting gives us strength for this battle. And, finally, fasting gives us insight into God’s direction – helps us know the will of God.

The Bible speaks of a number of different fasts. A few of them are:

• ·      Normal fasts – abstain from food but not water – Matthew 4:2 – “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”
• ·      Partial fasts – limitation of diet – abstain from some foods – Daniel 1: 12 – “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.”
• ·      Absolute fasts – abstaining from both food and water – Ezra 10: 6 – “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those from the captivity.”
• ·      Private fast – as Jesus refers in this passage.
• ·      Congregational fast – Antioch – Acts 13:2 – “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
• ·      National fast – for a corporate need – 2 Chron. 20:3 – “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”

Just a word of caution, before starting any fast, check with your Doctor. We need to beware of physical disabilities that would prohibit one from doing it.

Some great references I have found on this topic is:

• ·      Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer Towns
• ·      Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• ·      Handbook for Christian Living by Charles Stanley

 

We will look at this passage where Jesus compares fasting with the Hypocrites and the Humble in tomorrow’s study.