The Rebuild: Matthew 5-7નમૂનો

Fasting is a somewhat outdated practice among many Christian communities. However, the Bible doesn’t allow for it to be an outdated practice.

Jesus assumes that his disciples and other Christians will fast and he instructs them on the right heart posture to take while fasting.

A helpful definition of fasting is that it is a spiritual discipline of letting go of the physical for the sake of the spiritual. It is an intentional choice to forgo food or some other kind of relied-upon thing in your life to pursue more prayer and time in God’s word.

Jesus’ words in our passage today are instructive and help reveal the state of our hearts. Do we want to be known as someone who fasts? Are we chasing the reputation of piety or the acknowledgment that we are spiritual? Jesus challenges his listeners to fast in secret, to avoid looking rundown by the lack of blood sugar in your system, and to do it only for the sake of coming before our Father in heaven!

Jesus also promises that “your Father in heaven will see and reward you.” This promise needs context. Fasting has been abused in the past as a practice of “twisting God’s arm”, however, Jesus’ promise of the Father’s reward is simple and yet astounding! The promise is that God Himself will see us, He will acknowledge our fasting and prayer and that in itself is a beautiful reward.

Today, ponder this: What things in your life may be taking up time and energy that don’t bring you closer to God? Consider if it’s time to take a break from them and instead choose time with God in prayer, in His word and in worship.