Matthew 6:16-18

Matthew 6:16-18

Thoughts from Jack Affeldt

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“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Matthew 6:16-18

QOP- Behind the Scenes
Slide

Today’s passage speaks to the manner in which we fast and whether our motivation is to impress others or please God. When we zoom out and read the earlier sections of Matthew 6, we see Jesus cautioning followers about their motives in several different areas of spiritual life. The chapter opens with Jesus saying, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).

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Jesus goes on to address giving to the needy: “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:2-4).

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Next up, Jesus turns His focus to prayer: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6).

Slide

After this come the instructions on fasting, which we are focusing on today. Jesus calls out those whom He labels hypocrites for acting in such a way, “that their fasting may be seen by others.” He then commands His followers to go out of their way to conceal their own fasting. Just as in His instructions on giving and praying, Jesus concludes with the same phrase: “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

QOP- Make it Real
Slide

Fasting was a regular part of Jewish faith and remains an important facet of Christianity today. The Bible contains examples of individual fasting as well as communal fasting. In the Old Testament, we see people fast as they mourn, as they repent, and as they seek God’s favor. In all of these, fasting points to the deeper truth that, “God is the ultimate source and sustainer of life, and human life depends on connection to his presence and obedience to his words” (Bible.org).

Slide

Fasts are meant to be humbling times as the temporary deprivation of our physical needs moves us to submit to God in prayer with a heightened awareness of our spiritual needs. Yet, as humans, it can be difficult to free ourselves from prideful thoughts of how we are perceived by others or how we measure up to them. To eliminate this possibility of pride sabotaging our spiritual discipline, Jesus commands secrecy. It’s easy to let the pursuit of an image of righteousness become more important to us than the actual pursuit of righteousness.

Slide

Does this mean giving, prayer, or fasting can never be shared experiences with other believers? No, we actually see all of these disciplines occur in communal settings at different points in Biblical history. But Matthew 6 reminds us to be mindful of our motivation as we practice righteousness. Do you relate to the difficulty of keeping your intentions pure as you seek to honor God? Consider what you can fast from in secret this week. With this act of obedience known only by God, you can enjoy freedom from the temptation to impress others as you seek God’s approval alone.

QOP- End in Prayer
Slide

Heavenly Father, why is it so difficult to keep my motivation singularly focused on pleasing you? Help me to embrace the freedom that secrecy provides–the freedom from the pressure to perform, the freedom to serve you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I know your commands are for my good and for your glory. May my fasting this week honor you as I seek to hear your voice and follow your lead. I am yours, Lord. Amen.

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“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” 

Matthew 6:16-18

Behind the Scenes

Today’s passage speaks to the manner in which we fast and whether our motivation is to impress others or please God. When we zoom out and read the earlier sections of Matthew 6, we see Jesus cautioning followers about their motives in several different areas of spiritual life. The chapter opens with Jesus saying, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). 

Jesus goes on to address giving to the needy: “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:2-4). 

Next up, Jesus turns His focus to prayer: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6). 

After this come the instructions on fasting, which we are focusing on today. Jesus calls out those whom He labels hypocrites for acting in such a way, “that their fasting may be seen by others.” He then commands His followers to go out of their way to conceal their own fasting. Just as in His instructions on giving and praying, Jesus concludes with the same phrase: “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” 

Make It Real

Fasting was a regular part of Jewish faith and remains an important facet of Christianity today. The Bible contains examples of individual fasting as well as communal fasting. In the Old Testament, we see people fast as they mourn, as they repent, and as they seek God’s favor. In all of these, fasting points to the deeper truth that, “God is the ultimate source and sustainer of life, and human life depends on connection to his presence and obedience to his words” (Bible.org). 

Fasts are meant to be humbling times as the temporary deprivation of our physical needs moves us to submit to God in prayer with a heightened awareness of our spiritual needs. Yet, as humans, it can be difficult to free ourselves from prideful thoughts of how we are perceived by others or how we measure up to them. To eliminate this possibility of pride sabotaging our spiritual discipline, Jesus commands secrecy. It’s easy to let the pursuit of an image of righteousness become more important to us than the actual pursuit of righteousness. 

Does this mean giving, prayer, or fasting can never be shared experiences with other believers? No, we actually see all of these disciplines occur in communal settings at different points in Biblical history. But Matthew 6 reminds us to be mindful of our motivation as we practice righteousness. Do you relate to the difficulty of keeping your intentions pure as you seek to honor God? Consider what you can fast from in secret this week. With this act of obedience known only by God, you can enjoy freedom from the temptation to impress others as you seek God’s approval alone. 

Hailey Schroeder

Hailey Schroeder

ACF Devo Team

End in Prayer

Heavenly Father, why is it so difficult to keep my motivation singularly focused on pleasing you? Help me to embrace the freedom that secrecy provides–the freedom from the pressure to perform, the freedom to serve you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I know your commands are for my good and for your glory. May my fasting this week honor you as I seek to hear your voice and follow your lead. I am yours, Lord. Amen. 

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