Fasting is a treasured part of life in many churches, including ours. Jesus assumed His followers would fast, saying when you fast, not if you fast. But in His day, some people made fasting a public show. They looked gloomy and worn out so everyone would know how spiritual they were. In these three short verses, Jesus does not cancel fasting. He purifies it. Whether you are joining a church fast or setting aside a personal day of prayer, this passage shows how to fast in a way that pleases God.
When You Fast
Jesus says, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites with sad faces (Matthew 6:16). They disfigured their faces so people would notice, and Jesus says they already had their reward. Notice that Jesus expected fasting. He Himself fasted forty days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:1-2). He also said that after the Bridegroom was taken away, His disciples would fast (Matthew 9:15). Fasting means setting aside food for a season in order to seek God more fully. It humbles us and reminds us that we do not live by bread alone. But fasting can quickly become about us. We can start counting hours, comparing ourselves to others or hoping for praise. Jesus calls us back to the real purpose, which is God Himself.
What is one day or meal this week you could set aside to seek God, and what will you pray about during that time?
Fresh Face, Humble Heart
Instead, Jesus says to anoint your head and wash your face (Matthew 6:17). In other words, look normal. Keep your fast between you and God. The point is not to hide fasting as if it were shameful, but to keep it from becoming a performance. Through Isaiah, God rebuked people who bowed their heads like reeds during a fast but ignored the needs around them. The fast He chooses includes loosing the bands of wickedness and sharing bread with the hungry (Isaiah 58:5-7). Joel called God’s people to return with fasting and weeping, and to rend their hearts, not their garments (Joel 2:12-13). True fasting changes how we treat people. It softens hard hearts, exposes hidden sin and turns us back to God. An empty stomach with a proud heart misses the point.
During your next fast, what is one act of kindness to someone in need that you will add alongside it?
Seen by the Father
Jesus promises that your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly (Matthew 6:18). Fasting is not a hunger strike to force God to do what we want. It is a way of humbling ourselves before Him and seeking His face. Ezra proclaimed a fast so the people could humble themselves and ask God for a safe journey, and God heard them (Ezra 8:21-23). Daniel set his face to seek the Lord with prayer, fasting, sackcloth and ashes, confessing the sins of his people (Daniel 9:3). God’s reward may be answered prayer, but it is also clearer direction, deeper peace and closer fellowship with Him. If you have a health condition, talk with your doctor and choose a fast that is safe for you. God looks at the heart more than the length of the fast.
What specific need, for yourself, your family or our church, will you bring before God in a time of fasting this week?
Conclusion
Jesus teaches that fasting is expected, that it must be humble and hidden, and that the Father sees and rewards it. Fasting does not earn God’s love. We already have that through Jesus Christ, who fasted, prayed and finally gave His life for us. Fasting simply clears room in our busy lives so we can hunger for Him more than for anything else. When we fast this way, we find that He truly is the Bread that satisfies.
Share this study
Send it to a friend, your family group or your cell group. The link opens this week’s study on any phone.