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16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair[a] and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. --- Matthew 6:16-18 NLT Fasting---going without food in order to spend time in prayer---is noble and difficult. It gives us time to pray, teaches self-discipline, reminds us that we can live with a lot less, and helps us appreciate God’s gifts. Jesus was not condemning fasting, but hypocrisy---fasting in order to gain public approval. Fasting was mandatory for the Jewish people once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:32). The Pharisees voluntarily fasted twice a week to impress the people with their “holiness.” Jesus commended acts of self-sacrifice done quietly and sincerely. He wanted people to adapt spiritual disciplines for the right reasons. Not from a selfish desire for praise. --- Life Application Study Bible notes PRAYER Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that there are times that my human temptations to show off arise wanting to be noticed and praised from people. Keep me from displaying my actions and choices. I ask You to keep any hypocrisy from creeping into my life. Please remove any presence in me. May all of the motives of my actions be solely to please You. Teach me to be who I am. My deepest identity is not the one I create for myself but the identity given me by You. I am the beloved of God. and always will be. And that is enough. I ask for the purity of heart and may I always be genuine in my devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair[a] and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. --- Matthew 6:16-18 NLT Fasting---going without food in order to spend time in prayer---is noble and difficult. It gives us time to pray, teaches self-discipline, reminds us that we can live with a lot less, and helps us appreciate God’s gifts. Jesus was not condemning fasting, but hypocrisy---fasting in order to gain public approval. Fasting was mandatory for the Jewish people once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:32). The Pharisees voluntarily fasted twice a week to impress the people with their “holiness.” Jesus commended acts of self-sacrifice done quietly and sincerely. He wanted people to adapt spiritual disciplines for the right reasons. Not from a selfish desire for praise. --- Life Application Study Bible notes PRAYER Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that there are times that my human temptations to show off arise wanting to be noticed and praised from people. Keep me from displaying my actions and choices. I ask You to keep any hypocrisy from creeping into my life. Please remove any presence in me. May all of the motives of my actions be solely to please You. Teach me to be who I am. My deepest identity is not the one I create for myself but the identity given me by You. I am the beloved of God. and always will be. And that is enough. I ask for the purity of heart and may I always be genuine in my devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen