Biblical Answer

Jesus' Teaching on Fasting

Jesus taught his disciples that fasting is a spiritual discipline that should be practiced in secret. In Matthew 6:16-18, he says, "And when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men 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 men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen" (NIV). Jesus emphasizes the importance of fasting as a means of drawing closer to God, rather than as a way to impress others with personal piety.

The Purpose of Fasting

Jesus teaches that fasting is a way to focus on God and to seek his presence in our lives. When we fast, we are reminded of our dependence on God and our need for him. Fasting is not about showing others how spiritual we are, but about seeking a deeper relationship with God. Jesus warns against the trap of trying to impress others with our fasting, saying that those who do this have already received their reward in full. Instead, he encourages us to fast in secret, so that it is only God who sees our fasting and knows our hearts.

The Value of Fasting

Jesus assumes that his disciples will fast at times, and he teaches them how to do it in a way that is pleasing to God. He emphasizes the importance of voluntary fasting, where we choose to fast because we are hungry for God, rather than because we are forced to do so. Jesus' teaching on fasting is not about the external act of fasting, but about the internal motivation behind it. When we fast, we should do so with a single-minded focus on God, and not with the intention of impressing others. By fasting in secret, we can focus on our relationship with God and seek his presence in our lives. This is the value of fasting, as taught by Jesus.