Matthew 6:16-18

¹⁶ “And when you fast, do not look dismal like the actors, because they mutilate their faces so that they can be recognized as fasting by others. I honestly tell you, they have received their wages.

¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

¹⁸ so that you may not be recognized as fasting by any others but only by your Father who watches secretly. And your Father who watches secretly will pay you back. _________________________________________

Sky Kingdom fasting

Some people cannot fast, but most of us can skip a meal or two without doing serious damage. In Jesus’ day, many people fasted, but a lot of them did it out of the wrong motivation. They wanted to impress people with their spirituality and – if you can believe it – humility. So, fasting became a show, complete with mutilated faces as part of the costume. Jesus did not recommend this kind of fast. The only wages it produced is impressing people – and gullible people at that.

But Jesus did not reject fasting. He taught that there is something legitimate about temporarily going without food as a means of focusing on that which is truly important. Remember, this same Jesus also fasted for 40 days before beginning his discipling ministry.

· He used that time to meditate on the word. Remember that while he was fasting he told Satan that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”[1]

· He used that time to discipline himself for the challenges he would face. If Jesus needed to do that, how much more do we?

· He used that time to focus on his relationship with his Father by prayer. We can too often be distracted by the ordinary routine of life.

Meditation, discipline, and focus: three reasons to give fasting a try.

LORD, if possible, give us a regular, meaningful and authentic fasting experience.

[1] Matthew 4:4.