““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 NIV
We move further into the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus references a Spiritual Discipline that you don’t find practiced that often in this day and age. Interestingly, though, when you look at current dieting trends, intermittent fasting.
This is a series of posts on the Sermon on the Mount. The links for the previous post are below this writing.
Fasting was a practice of submitting our appetite to rely on the Lord for strength.
There were two reasons for fasting in the days of Jesus:
- People fasted for direction. When people were looking for God’s will in their lives, they fasted. Scientists today will tell us that more blood can go to the brain while fasting. Fasting provides clarity in our thoughts. These clear thoughts can help provide direction for us.
- People fasted for liberation. When we fast, we control our desire for food. This can also show us how to liberate ourselves from sin that may have a level of control over us.
Researching this topic makes me curious about implementing this Spiritual practice into my life.
In those days, the religious leaders would make it no secret that they were fasting. They would make it apparent to all that were watching. They wanted the appearance of being righteous.
Jesus warns us not to do this. As with prayer and giving, Jesus calls us to do this privately. Not so that others know what we are doing. Or I should say that He calls us not to make what we give known or that we are fasting to draw attention to us.
‘Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” ‘ Matthew 4:1-4
We have one recorded incident where we found Jesus after fasting for 40 days. It says, “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
Interestingly, Satan approached Jesus when He was hungry. But this is no different with us. Satan will pick the times when he knows we are weak to tempt us. Knowing Jesus was hungry, his first temptation was to turn the rocks into bread.
When we find ourselves in trouble, we should first turn to God. One of the things, as believers, we should do is to make sure that we have a support group in place before we need the support. If we wait until we need it, we will reach out to anyone who gives us their hand, which could cost us dearly.
That last part was off-message.
The key to giving, praying, and fasting is to glorify God. It should be a response to the wonderful gift of salvation that He provided through His Son, Jesus.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. I pray that You allow me to bestow the same grace, mercy, and forgiveness to those around me.
I pray for the hearts of those I come in contact with every day. I pray they see You in my heart based on my attitude, words, and actions. All for Your glory.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!
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