Biblical Answer

Jesus' Teaching on Fasting

According to Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus teaches that fasting should be a voluntary act of spiritual discipline, rather than a means of impressing others with personal piety. He assumes that his disciples will continue to practice fasting, and warns against doing so in a way that draws attention to oneself. Jesus' teaching on fasting is centered on the idea of spiritual interest and hunger, rather than physical hunger.

The Purpose of Fasting

Jesus teaches that fasting is a means of expressing repentance before God, and is especially appropriate when the spiritual state of the church is low. In Matthew 9:15, Jesus says that the disciples will fast when he is taken away from them, referring to his crucifixion. This implies that fasting is a way of expressing grief and longing for God's presence. In Acts 13:2-3 and 14:23, we see examples of the early church fasting for special purposes, rather than as a routine practice.

The Spirit of Fasting

Jesus emphasizes the importance of fasting with a humble and repentant heart, rather than as a means of impressing others. In Matthew 6:16-18, he warns against doing so in a way that draws attention to oneself, and instead encourages his disciples to fast with a single-minded focus on God. This involves praying with one's body, offering all of life to God, and seeking to live a life that is pleasing to him. By fasting in this way, Christians can experience a deeper sense of spiritual hunger and longing for God, and can express their repentance and dependence on him.