Matthew 6:16-18
HAVE YOU EVER FASTED? PLEASE TELL YOUR STORY.
A “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites,
B for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.
C Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
A But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
B that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.
C And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
BACKGROUND
Hebrew parallelism again. Notice the structure. Antithetical parallelism.
What is a fast and what do we fast from?
“The practice of abstaining from food (and probably drink). This could be done as an expression of remorse for wrongdoing, as an expression of mourning for a loss, or as a spiritual discipline meant to help one focus on spiritual matters.” Fasting is mentioned 47 times in the Bible (Cultural Concepts, Logos Bible Study).
Normal fasting is abstaining from solid food, though liquid may be consumed. Partial fasting may be fasting once or twice a day. A total fast was abstaining from all food and drink for any length of time, such as Esther and the Jews for three days or Moses and Jesus for 40 days (though their fasts were miraculous).
Fasting was abused in the Old Testament as well as the New. God sometimes rejected Israel’s fasts because it wasn’t accompanied by right behavior:
Isaiah 58:3-4, 6-7 says, “Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high…Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
In our modern times some people fast from things other than food. For instance, some people fast from social media. But the Bible’s teaching on fasting is about food, not addictions. Addictions can be sin, and they need repentance, not temporary fasts. Biblical fasting means to afflict oneself through the lack of food, which is a need, not an addiction or a sin. It is to replace physical needs with spiritual needs.
IF YOU’VE FASTED, WHY DID YOU FAST?
Why do people fast?
Because of calamity (Judges 20:24-26). When Israel was defeated in battle by Benjamin, the people turned to fasting and prayer in humility for God’s favor.
Because of impending danger (Esther 4:16). Esther called for a three-day fast because of the king’s edict to destroy all the Jews.
Because of trouble or judgment (II Samuel 12:16). David fasted and prayed for seven days because his child with Bathsheba was to die. While this solidified David’s commitment to God, God did not answer his prayer. This signifies that fasting is not a tool for God to give us what we want, contrary to his will.
For good fortune (Ezra 8:21). Ezra called for a fast for travel mercies back to the land of Israel.
To prepare for ministry (Matthew 4, Acts 16:2). Jesus entered his ministry with a 40-day fast. Paul and Barnabas were called to ministry while fasting. Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade used to say that Christians going into vocational ministry should fast 40 days before doing so.
During a major turning point in life, like receiving the law from God (Exodus 34:28).
Appointing elders for churches. (Acts 14:23).
For repentance: “Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning’” (Joel 2:12). So, God does sometimes call his people to fast.
When do people fast?
Anytime. There is only one mention of fasting in the Pentateuch, which is in connection with the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-31). Fasting that day was a requirement of the law. Other than that, most fasting is reactionary, seeking God’s favor or provision or even to know him better.
How do people fast?
Short or long term. Without food or drink. Replace eating times with prayer. This is important. Part of a fast is to replace one thing with something else, in this case, prayer. It’s no coincidence that Jesus talks about fasting right after he discusses the Lord’s Prayer.
Some people fast from things like social media or TV. But the Bible only speaks of fasting from food. Its meaning is to afflict oneself. The word fast literally means “one who is empty.”
The Bible discusses various terms for fasting, 3 days, 7 days, 40 days, or as a lifetime practice like Anna in the temple (Luke 2:37).
Fasting in biblical times often included wearing sackcloth and ashes. Sackcloth was a coarse garment, made from goat’s hair or camel hair, probably itchy, that either covered the loins or the whole body. It easily irritated the skin. Sackcloth was worn in mourning or in desperation to get God to act by showing deep humility in great discomfort. It was sometimes worn for days at a time while fasting. The idea was to afflict the body inside (no food) and outside (physical discomfort).
What is interesting is that many people kept sackcloth in their homes. It had one use. To afflict oneself. They expected to use it, that it would be needed.
WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE THE BENEFITS OF FASTING MIGHT BE? HOW HAVE YOU BENEFITED?
The effects of fasting.
Spiritual: Some people report sensing a deeper sense of communion with God while fasting, especially in longer fasts. Fasting helps augment prayer and solidify one’s commitment to spiritual truth, doctrines, or decisions. God sometimes calls people into ministry while fasting as he did with Paul and Barnabas.
Physical: Weight loss is one benefit of fasting, though it is not the reason for spiritual fasting. It is not uncommon to lose up to 35 pounds on a lengthy, 40-day fast. Lengthy fasts should only happen after consulting a doctor.
Emotional & Mental: A clearer mind when it comes to spiritual things. A greater sense of God’s love. A desire to serve and love the Lord more. Grief when considering one’s own sin. Repentance becomes emphasized.
Warning: It should be noted that when fasting for long periods, hunger increases over a three-day period, but after this, hunger subsides until the body’s reserves near completion, which is around day 40. Then hunger returns and one must eat lightly at first and then return to normal over time. If not following the body’s clues about when to resume eating, one could easily die. If eating too much too quickly, it could also be harmful and very painful. Regardless of the risks, long-term fasting can be rewarding.
FASTING IS NOT COMMANDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, BUT SHOULD WE FAST TODAY?
The church fathers encouraged fasting. St. Basil the Great (Bishop of Caesarea from 370 to 379) said, “The benefit of fasting is not limited to one abstention from food because true fasting is eliminating evil deeds.”
He also said, “The fast is the weapon for protection against demons because, “this kind does not go away, except through prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:28).
I would encourage periodic fasting to enhance your relationship with the Lord. Start small, then move on to longer fasts as the Lord might lead. I do not recommend fasting for a diabetic. Fasting is a lost art. Though it’s not commanded, Jesus did assume we would fast. He said, “When you fast…” signifying that we would.
EXAMINATION
(V.16) “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites…”
Pharisees fasted regularly, usually twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, and would put ashes on themselves to signify their fasting to others. They tried to make it obvious to others that they were fasting. There are two ways to look gloomy: naturally or on purpose. Theirs was the latter.
It should be noted that while Jesus expected his disciples to fast he did not command it, nor did he or other New Testament writers give instructions about fasting. Only Jesus remarked on it and only in addressing the motives of the person who fasts.
(V.16) “…for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.”
The Greek word here for “may be seen by others” is theathēnai. It’s where we get the word “theater” from. In other words, the Pharisees fasted to put on a show.
This passage notes their whole motivation for fasting, to be seen by others. Just as in our previous passages, the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day sought out the praise and honor of others rather than focusing on God’s approval.
(V.16) “Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Jesus condemns the Pharisee’s actions. Their reward was the praise of men rather than the approval of God.
(V.17) “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.”
In other words, Jesus is saying to carry out your normal life while fasting. No one should know what you are doing other than the Lord or those you may be accountable to, such as your spouse or other spiritual people who love and support you.
(V.18) “…that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret…”
The phrase “In secret” is mentioned by Jesus four times in the Sermon on the Mount. This repetition denotes the importance of Jesus’ point. He’s emphasizing that righteousness isn’t something we do for show but is important to God. We should do things with the idea that God is our audience, and we do what we do for him.
(V.18) “…And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
We don’t know what the rewards are, but I tend to think that increased fellowship with God is the primary reward. Things pass away, but having a deeper relationship with the Lord is forever.
INTERPRETATION
Seek the reward of God, not the approval of people. The Pharisees regularly practiced their piety in front of others in order to appear spiritual. Thus, they weren’t spiritual at all. Jesus’ word to us is the same as he taught about giving, prayer, and fasting. All should be done in private.
People who consider Christianity often want to know what benefits it will bring them. The Pharisees looked to earthly benefits. But our eyes should be focused on truly spiritual things. Our benefits are first with God and our relationship with him. He, as is said in Genesis, is our “great and exceeding reward.”
Imagine if a man only expressed affection for his spouse in public but never in private. His wife would be emotionally starving, even hurt. She might rightly conclude that her husband doesn’t truly love her. So, too, imagine if our faith was only expressed publicly, but we had no practice of private prayer, Bible reading, or sharing our faith in some way. We may be self-satisfied, but could we say that we were personally intimate with God?
Be careful not to take private expressions too far. Some people think that their religion should be kept private in all ways. This is not a biblical idea. Jesus expressed his faith publicly. So did Paul, Peter, John, and the early church. They brought their faith to bear on the cultures of their day. The Jesus who said to do these three things in secret (giving, prayer, and fasting) also said to let your light shine before others. Some things should be kept private for humility’s sake. But our faith, in general, must be an open affair.
APPLICATION
- Keep your giving, praying, and fasting private.
- Do a spiritual inventory of your life. What areas might you be showing off? Make whatever changes are necessary in keeping with humility.
- If you’re not giving or praying then don’t consider fasting until you’ve done these two important things. Unless you are coming in repentance.
Fasting should not be seen as a religious exercise but as a relational exercise. We all give up certain things for those we love. We can do the same with God if we truly love him.
