Did the title get your attention? DIY(WTT) - Do It Yourself (With The Trinity) might have been more accurate, but not something most would recognize!
Jesus teaches about fasting as one of five common religious practices of the time. In context He started with almsgiving (Matthew 6:1-4), then approached the practice of prayer (Matthew 6:5-15), and fasting comes next in this passage. After he addresses fasting, he concludes this section with one’s attitude toward wealth (Matthew 6:19-24) and judging others (Matthew 7:1-6).
Jesus had observed how the Pharisee’s had interpreted these precious, faith building practices, and was not impressed. He saw that the Pharisees were looking for man’s praise AND God’s praise as they gave or prayed or fasted. Jesus wanted to make sure his followers understood that they had an audience of One. The One True God, Yahweh, was the One who wanted their wholehearted worship.
Jesus instructs that this intimate practice of fasting be shared only within a tiny community - Just you and the Lord. Look carefully at the passage below to see what the Holy Spirit brings to your attention about Jesus’s teaching on fasting.
Matthew 6:16-18
16 “And 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. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 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.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ Jesus’s words in the beginning of verse 16 are “And when you fast…”
+ Do you think this means believers must fast?
+ Is fasting a command?
+ Does Jesus assume that all believers fast?
+ What does verse 16 say the “hypocrites” do as they fast?
+ Why do they do this according to the end of the verse?
+ Whose praise do they receive for their “righteous” actions...what is their reward?
+ How should believers fast according to verse 17?
+ What does this look like in 2020?
+ Who sees wholehearted worship in the form of fasting in verse 18?
+ Whose reward is given by fasting “in secret?”
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How is the Lord calling you to respond about His instruction on fasting? Do you feel called to fast periodically?
+ How have you re-thought your spiritual practices of giving, prayer, and fasting? Do you intend to make any changes based on the Scripture’s teaching?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Who can hold you accountable to such an intimate spiritual discipline?