“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others 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.
Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast. Not if you fast or if you consider fasting. But WHEN you fast. We live in a culture that lives in opposition to any sort of self-denial. Commercials declare you deserve all that you can get and imply that it doesn’t really matter if it is ethical or even if it has long term negative ramifications. Our modern culture is all about the NOW. Jesus must warn us because we have a habit of making even Spiritual practices more about the present.
When you fast. The practice of fasting is a habit of putting our mind on the eternal. I am curious if this passage is the reason that I don’t hear much about fasting anymore. Certainly, people of God still deny their flesh from time to time. At least that is my hope. However, I fear that we the body of Christ would rather feast than fast.
I once had a friend who was a master at fasting. When he did a fast, he mostly kept it secret except to select friends and family. His fasts were extended often over 4o days. His fasts included not only a denial of food but also connection. He would set up a tent in the woods and read His Bible, pray, and journal. Each day one of his brothers would stop in and make sure he was ok. They had a signal to communicate because his fasting included silence. One of the last fasts that I talked with him about was done for two reasons. First, he wanted healing for his wife and secondly, he wanted direction for his life. He got the direction but not the healing. He had no disappointment. He continued to love his wife well. He heard from the Father and adjusted his life to what God was doing. It was difficult, but he experienced God. The ultimate result of fasting is that we will adjust our will, our plans and our life to the will of God. Too many like to pray and fast in order to adjust God to our will, our plans and our lifestyle. My friends that should not be
When you fast, we step into the presence of our Savior. Throughout the Bible even the holiest men would experience shame over their sins. I often wonder. They seem to live such righteous lives. Yet, when in the presence of perfection, they knew that their righteousness was as filthy rags. Suddenly when with the King these men saw how fear (lack of trust in God), greed or just wild uncontrolled thoughts were filled with sin. Has “sin” become a dirty word even in our churches? My friends, that should not be. Confess our sins, declare a holy assembly, a time of fasting and prayer and see your King.
When you fast. I want to see the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven. I long to see His justice (the way things ought to be) restored to our community. I aspire to see His people and this community flourish.
