The Gospel of Matthew demonstrates that Jesus has a different concept of righteousness than the Pharisees. He associates with tax collectors and sinners, even holding a banquet with them.
Now, he comes into conflict with the disciples of John. Their question is: what is his position concerning the accepted standards of righteousness, specifically regarding fasting?
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9.14).
People who engage in religious activities must ask themselves whether the activities are an end in themselves or do they have a larger purpose. Do I pray because I like to pray, or does prayer lead me to God? That’s the question.
The same thing can be said about fasting. Do I fast because it makes me feel good about my spirituality, or does it draw me closer to God?
Wedding Festivities
Jesus announced the arrival of God’s kingdom on earth (Matthew 4.17). To fast in the presence of the King of the kingdom is about as inconceivable as friends of the bridegroom fasting during a wedding celebration.
And Jesus said to them, “The wedding attendants cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9.15).
There are many emotions and activities that can be connected to our sense of a close relationship with the Lord. Worship, praise, gratitude, and service are all things that can be done when we are sensing the nearness of our Savior.
If we feel distant from him or we are concerned about world events or other issues of life, fasting is the appropriate response.
Isaiah makes it clear that the main issue of fasting is the inner motive and the behavior of those who fast. The following activities when combined with fasting bring God’s disapproval.
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day
and oppress all your workers.
You fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord? (Isaiah 58.3-5)
On the other hand, when we combine fasting with the following behavior, we can trust that God will approve and help our efforts.
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator[b] shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.” (Isaiah 58.6-9)
The main message we should receive from the subject of fasting is that it leads us to the Lord. When we are walking hand-in-hand with Him, we will show the kind of behavior that Isaiah and Jesus describe.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 