Tuesday 4th June
Read Matthew 6:16-18
“‘When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (NIVUK)
When do you fast? Of the three religious practices Jesus is addressing at the beginning of Matthew 6, praying, giving and fasting, fasting is likely the one least practiced. Perhaps the reasoning is that Jesus is speaking to Jewish followers and the context has changed such that most Jewish practices are not fit for Gentiles, or even modern folk, so we can skip this one? I am not so sure we can ignore the ‘when’ with which this admonition begins.
As we consider missional habits, it is striking to recall that fasting was something the early church, in Gentile contexts no less, did before the first missionaries were sent out!. “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1-3) (NIVUK).
Even if you choose not to fast, for health or other reasons, if you are spending time this week listening to the voice of the Spirit in your life, perhaps ask the question if there is something you could usefully give up, fast from, to better respond to God?
