When you fast

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.- Matthew 6.16-18

I have rarely heard a message on Bible fasting. In fact, I don’t think I have ever heard a full message on it. I still can’t figure out why it is so rare. I often wonder if part of the reason is that fasting requires sacrifice. I also wonder if, at least in the circles I came up in, we don’t do it because nobody does it.

Anyway, that’s a matter for another time.

I think that fact is clear that fasting should be a part of our lives. Jesus said, ‘when you fast,’ which certainly gives the impression that it is part of what His followers do, just like praying and giving.

But fasting can’t be for a show. It is between us and God. We know that in Israel and in the early church people fasted together for a common purpose so it is not something that must be totally secret, but it is not a matter of having a religious ritual. It is not something for which we act like we are suffering or sacrificing.

Our fasting is, even if we do it with our church or friends or whoever, is a private matter. If we fast with the wrong heart we might as well not fast.

Jesus talked about some issues that require prayer and fasting. I wonder if the church is fasting as she should.

‘When you fast,’ not ‘if.’