Morever, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites - Matthew 6.16

New Testament Challenge – Day 1

Matthew 1-7

I can’t believe it has been a year since we have undertaken this discipline. Of course I pray we are reading the Bible EVERY day, but I always look forward to our annual New Testament Challenge. If you’re not familiar with the New Testament Challenge you can read about it at:

http://journeytoorthodoxy.com/2011/10/27/the-2011-new-testament-challenge/#axzz1dnYJqRwT

I will attempt, by God’s grace and His Will, to blog each day during the Challenge referring directly to some passage in the assigned reading for the day.

Today’s passage, appropriately enough is taken from Matthew 6.16-18.

“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. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 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 openly.”

Since today is also the beginning of the Nativity Fast, I thought it would be appropriate to begin here…

Fasting in the Church should not be seen, as it too often is, as a mere rule that must be obeyed by Christians. In fact many Christians refuse to fast, or at the very least don’t fast because they don’t see the benefit to fasting. Some even suggest that fasting is not required, or possibly even forbidden, because it is mistakenly lumped into the “Law” and therefore somehow done away with by the Cross of Christ.

First from the perspective of the Law, we must understand that fasting is not about being Kosher as was the Mosaic Law. Rather it is a spiritual discipline, which Christ and the ancient Church endorse, that has a great benefit to assist us in defeating the demons that distract us on our Christian journey. Take for example when faced with severe demon possession, the Apostles asked why they couldn’t cast out the demon (see Matthew 17.14-21) and Christ responded, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” This clearly indicates that Jesus believed there was a spiritual benefit to fasting.

Now from the perspective of today’s reading, we see that Jesus presumes that we will be fasting when He says, “Moreover, WHEN YOU FAST, do not be like the hypocrites.” (Matthew 6.16 – emphasis added) There is no room for confusion. Christ expects that His followers will be fasting.

And herein rests the fruit of fasting. When we fast, whether it is the weekly fast as commanded by the Holy Apostles in the Didache, or the Nativity Fast, we grow spiritually as we train our bodies physically and psychologically that there is something greater than ourselves, worthy of our obedience. In these modern days of hustle and bustle before Christmas most are too burned out on the holidays after weeks and weeks of parties and shopping to truly celebrate the birth of God.

As I hear recently, “If you want to put Christ back into Christmas, start by fasting the Nativity Fast.” At least then, when you arrive at Christmas Day you will actually be anticipating something great.

Have a blessed Nativity Fast and I pray you will enjoy the 2011 New Testament Challenge as part of your spiritual journey.