In Jesus’ teaching in Matthew the 6th chapter a subject is introduced that is no longer a wide spread practice as it was in the days of Jesus’ walk on earth.  It is fasting.

 

Matthew 6:16-18 (Jesus speaking)

Vs 16   “moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad                        countenance.  For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to                    men to be fasting.  Assuredly I say to you, they have their reward.”

Vs 17   “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face

Vs 18   so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is             in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

 

            In my research for this word I looked in the Bible dictionary as well as the regular dictionary.  If the word is in the Bible, the Bible dictionary will define it. (usually with an explanation in Biblical terms) The regular dictionary has all the meanings such as fast in terms of speed, etc.  The regular dictionary has the word fast as verb – go without food or to eat little or nothing; go without certain kinds of food.  Now, the word fasting is listed as a noun and means; the act of abstaining from food (Luke 2:37)  The Bible dictionary has a much more extensive meaning and explains how the word came about (some very interesting external reading for you)  I’ll just be picking out pertinent thoughts for us to consider.  The Hebrew meaning meant: to cover the mouth.  The Greek meaning was: to abstain.

 

            There are many different kinds of fasting in the Old and New Testament.  In the Old testament the Hebrews were in the habit of fasting whenever they were in hard and trying circumstances (I Sam. 20:34&31: 13; II Sam. 1:12), in the prospect of threatened judgment of God (II Sam. 12: 16; I Kings 21: 27), or occasions of falling into grievous sin (Ezra 10:6) or to avert heavy calamity (Esth. 4:1).

            In the New Testament the only references to the Jewish fasts are the mention of “the fasts” in Acts 27:9 (generally understood to denote the Day of Atonement) and the allusions to the weekly fasts.

 

            When Jesus spoke about fasting in Matthew, I believe, He was trying to point out that fasting had become a ritual and habit only.

            Our Lord sternly rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocritical pretenses in the fasts which they observed.  The people only saw in the physical of how they looked and didn’t look deeper into the spiritual aspect of their fast.

            Now, prayer and fasting are mentioned in Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:29 as means for promoting faith and as good works.  That is individual fasting and designated circumstances.

            The Bible dictionary also mentioned that the Christian church, “after the Jewish Custom in fasting was frequently joined with prayer that the mind, unencumbered with earthly matter, might devote itself with less distraction to the contemplation of divine things.”

 

            Remember Saints, WE are God’s Church here on earth.  So when we fast it should be in a quiet place where we are able to totally connect with God for direction for something or just to get closer in spirit to our Creator.  Time set aside for fasting is time set aside for God!  The reason behind fasting, most times now-a-days isn’t the same as in past days.  We usually fast because of tradition or holidays.  And when we do fast a lot of times we don’t actually seek the Lord as we should or for the reason we should.

 

            Think about it Church!  The more we strive (will) to put aside our “fleshly self” the more our spiritual body and mind can connect with our Lord and Savior through the Holy Spirit.  Now that is perfect peace.

 

  Trust and Believe God

 

*          World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary copyright 1964 Doubleday and company, Inc. page 717

 

Unger Bible Dictionary.  The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago copyright 1957 to 1981 page 345-346.

 

 

*All scriptures are from: New King James Version of Prophecy Study Bible

General Editor-John C. Hagee unless otherwise stated.