Matthew 6:16-18
May 12th, 2019
Jesus concludes a set of three illustrations intended to focus his disciple’s attention on becoming truly righteous people.
1. When we fast
WHEN we fast, we intentionally deprive ourselves of something normally regarded as necessary or desirable for physical life and wellbeing.
WHEN we fast, we are also revealing the nature of our righteousness
2. How we fast
It is interesting that Jesus addresses how NOT to fast first.
The hypocrites signal their virtue as “fasters” by modifying their mood and appearance to create the right impression amongst their desired audience.
In contrast, Jesus points out that when we fast, we should do everything possible to NOT virtue signal and to fast before an audience of One, namely our Father who sees in secret.
3. Why we fast
WHY we fast: We seek a REWARD that only God can give
WHY we fast: We seek a REWARD that only God can give and He SHALL give it.
“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next… It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.”
― C.S. Lewis
