Today’s Passage: Matthew 6:16-18
Jesus continues His teaching on the mountain. He has addressed giving in secret and praying in secret. Now He examines a third quiet practice: fasting. To fast means to abstain from food for a time to focus your full attention on God. Jesus forces a verdict on your motives. You must decide who your audience is. Fast for the Father’s eyes instead of the crowd’s, and the God who sees in secret will reward you.
Context Fasting in the ancient world
In first-century Judea, many religious leaders fasted twice a week. Fasting served as a normal discipline to seek God. Some leaders, however, turned the practice into a public performance. They wore sad expressions and left their hair unkempt so observers would recognize their devotion. They transformed a private offering into a neighborhood spectacle.
Matthew 6:16 (BSB)
¹⁶ When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
The hypocrites made sure everyone knew they were nēsteuō, pronounced nace-TYOO-oh. Strong's G3522, to fast, go without food. Fasting involves abstaining from food for a specific period to focus your attention entirely on God. God designed this discipline as a private interaction between you and your Father. When you turn it into a public exhibition, you forfeit the true reward. . They wore gloomy faces intentionally. They allowed themselves to look worn and dirty so people passing by would notice and express admiration. Public approval drove the entire display. Jesus pronounces a sobering verdict. They already have their full reward. A few admiring glances from the crowd constitute their entire payment. Once the audience applauds, the transaction concludes. God owes them nothing.
Matthew 6:17 (BSB)
¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
Jesus commands the exact opposite approach. Wash your face. Put oil on your head, exactly as you would on a normal morning. Present yourself as rested and groomed. Give no outward signals. Leave no clues for observers. Keep the fast completely hidden, an exclusive interaction between you and God.
Matthew 6:18 (BSB)
¹⁸ so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Jesus explains the necessity of secrecy. You fast for an unseen Father. He requires no audience to notice your devotion. He monitors the secret place directly. He possesses complete knowledge of the very actions you conceal from everyone else. He alone distributes the reward. The crowd hands out temporary praise. The Father gives you Himself. Choose to do one good thing today that only God will know about. Tell no one. Keep the action a complete secret between you and your Father.
Study notes The requirement of a turned heart
God looks past the physical display to examine the internal reality.
"So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster." Joel 2:13 (BSB)
God requires a broken heart, independent of torn robes or somber expressions. Fasting serves as a quiet method to tell Him that you desire Him above all else.
Pray to Close
Talk to God about your desire for public approval. Confess any good deeds you have performed primarily to gain the applause of others. Ask the Father to make your heart crave His presence more than human recognition. Yield your need to be noticed, and rest in the confidence that your Father sees you in secret.
Worship for Today
Draw Me Close to You · Kelly Carpenter (Hillsong)
This song voices a quiet cry to remain near God. That longing forms the core of fasting. You desire the Father Himself rather than the applause of the crowd.
Listen: