Thoughts About Jesus’ Words About Fasting

The Fast Track (Matthew 6:16-18)

“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.”

I’ve fasted, sometimes regularly, more often occasionally, and sometimes rarely. When I fast, I usually want to just hurry through it.

I’ve discovered that it’s hard to have a happy face when I’m hungry from fasting and while I’m trying not to look like a somber hypocrite. It’s difficult not to try to be rewarded by letting other people know that I’m dodging food for God, so that they can give me some sympathy, admiration, or encouragement as the case may be.

For some reason grooming my hair and washing my face doesn’t feel like it’s going to hide the fact that I’m fasting. Still, I know that God knows that I am trying, and He has promised a reward. Maybe that reward is the humility and brokenness that fasting brings to my awareness. Perhaps that’s what King David meant when he wrote: “I humbled myself with fasting and my prayer was genuine.” (Psalm, 35:13.) Or what James meant when he wrote: “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10.)

One other thing. I’ve discovered that I don’t get to personally know Jesus better by hearing a weekly talk about him, but by honestly opening my heart to Him. Fasting helps me do that.

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