Great Plains Daily Devotional for 1/26/2020

Matthew 6:16-18 

“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Reading Matthew 6 has been a fascinating experience especially as I learned in depth the meaning and power of fasting. Fasting, going on without food in order to spend time in prayer, is noble and difficult. Most people talk about it, practice the spiritual discipline, and yield some spiritual fruits. Fasting brings a spiritual refreshing and strengthens the soul when done orderly and accordingly. Some Christians are hesitant to fast, yet it’s a powerful way of connecting with God. Fasting is connected to the secret place where we enter the inner chamber in prayer. Therefore, prayer and fasting are the hands in gloves.

I learned through the scriptures that fasting gives us time to pray, teaches self-discipline, and abstaining from fleshly desires. Now, in the scriptural context, Jesus was not condemning fasting, but the hypocrisy done by the Pharisees. Within the scripture Jesus highlights people who fast in order to gain public approval. “And when you fast, do not look gloomy and sour and dreary like the hypocrites, for they put on a dismal countenance, that their fasting may be apparent to and seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full already.” (Matthew 6:16) 

The Pharisees voluntarily fasted twice a week to impress the people with their holiness. But I wonder what Jesus meant when he said, “But when you fast anoint your head and wash your face.” (Matthew 6:17). This shows a distinction between the hypocrites and those who fasted from the heart. “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me, with all your heart with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning, and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13). The true believer fast from the heart and returns to God sincerely while the hypocrites fast to be seen by men.

 Anointing the head was common in ancient times. It was customary for people to anoint their heads during meals. It was like a person using deodorant. Oil was a basic part of sitting down together for a meal, and the Pharisee had been inhospitable by not providing any. So, Jesus said, “anoint your head, or put oil on your head.” The head denotes to thinking process during the fasting and praying. Some people struggle when fasting, but the oil seals the fasting as one focus in prayer. We are not to showcase the fasting by being downcast but to be grateful, prayerful, and cheerful. Our out wide appearance has to be anointed with oil and faces have to be washed as usual yet within secretly connected to God.
Lessons learned about fasting

1. Fasting is the humbling of soul, done in secret as one seeks God in depth.
2. Fasting and prayer are intertwined and yield spiritual results when done instructively and accordingly.
3. Fasting calls for total endurance and self-discipline to align our souls more to God.

Prayer for Reflection

Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23