Jesus knew a thing or two about fasting when He came to address the matter in His teaching.
Earlier in Matthew’s outline of the gospel, Jesus had spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting. The episode showed a lot about Jesus’ commitment. His commitment was wholeheartedly for His Father.
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)
It’s no coincidence then, that the last aspect of the secret life of saints is the aspect that reaffirms their commitment to their Father. A lot could be said about fasting in terms of what it’s about and so on. Here though, Jesus isn’t so much concerned with how you fast as to where your heart is when you fast.
As He will outline more explicitly, the issue here is a matter of who are we really doing life for? Religious practices for who? To be seen by others? To gain their approval? For self-gratification and a sense of superiority? Because that was the way it was always done and so that must be the way to do it?
Fasting can already sound severe. Doing without the basic necessities of life. That sounds a bit harsh for some. A bit too harsh. So it’s set up for the full dramatic approach to it.
Look at me. I really am so in touch with God that here I am fasting. Ohhhh look at the anguish. Look at the loss. Look at the suffering. Look at what I’m putting myself through because just how godly I am. Look me.
Jesus refers to such people as hypocrites.
As Jesus exemplified, fasting has got nothing to do with what people see. It is not a spectator activity because it’s not about others looking on. This is about doing what it takes to strengthen relations with God and pour yourself out to Him, connect to Him by doing without. That’s a matter of the heart. That’s something that Jesus says the Father is content to see in secret. It’s just the two of you.
When these rhythms of the secret life of saints are operating with that motive – that it’s because the Father is the most important one in the relationship – the Father honours that. He delights in that. This is evident in Jesus’ promise that the Father who sees in secret will give a reward.
It’s worth considering what that reward is … is it getting what we want? Well that surely depends on what we want. What does it feel like for the heart of the matter to enjoy its reward?
(Photo by Ashley Rowe on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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