When you fast, do not look somber 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. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 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. Matthew 6:16-18
“There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways. The way of life is this. First of all, you shall love the God who made you. Second, love your neighbor as yourself.b And all things you would not want done to you, do not do to another person.
Now the teaching of these words is this. Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what credit is it to you, if you love those who love you? Do the people of the nations not do the same? But you should love those who hate you, and you will not have an enemy. Abstain from the desires of the flesh and of the body….
Concerning baptism, baptize in this way. Having instructed him in all of these teachings, baptize the catechumen in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water. But if you do not have running water, then baptize in other water. And if you cannot in cold water, use warm.
But if you have neither, then pour water on the head three times, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And before the baptism, let both the baptizer and the catechumen fast, and also any others who are able. And be sure that the catechumen fasts a day or two before.
Do not let not your fasts fall on the same days as the hypocrites, for they fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Keep your fast on Wednesdays and Fridays…”
Didache 1.1-4, 2.7-8
One of my faithful readers said, “Can you give me an example of what a fast day looks like for you?” To assist him and all other readers, I go back to the Didache, the early church discipleship manual, which has helped me. Download it here.
The Scribes and Pharisees in the days of the early church, described by Jesus as hypocrites, fasted on Mondays and Thursdays. To differentiate the Christian movement from them, followers of Jesus were instructed to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.
I find that fasting for a meal two days a week, generally lunch, provides margin for me to connect more closely to God. I do this when I am home and not when I am traveling. I don’t tell anyone. It is between me and God.
As a side note, the day of worship shifted from the Sabbath in the synagogue on Saturday to meeting in homes on Sunday because that was the day that Christ rose from the dead. That’s why worldwide most people have Christian worship on Sundays.
Now regarding fasting, if you feel led to explore it, pick a day or two a week to abstain from food. During the time you would eat the meal, devote yourself to prayer and the reading of Scripture. In that sense, feast on Jesus.
If you have a big activity ahead, like the example of baptism, consider following the example here of fasting a day or two before. This will help prepare your heart to get the most from God from the experience.
But don’t forget today’s Scripture. Avoid appearing as a hypocrite. Perhaps look at your calendar and choose a day that you can do it without drawing attention to yourself. Fasting is not for show but to help you grow.
Today I travel from Denver to Tokyo, Japan, where I connect to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the largest Global Gathering in the history of GTP, 134 people from 50+ countries. We include fasting in our schedule. I’ll share more about that tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers for safe travel for me and all the participants from around the world.