Episode 38 - Matthew 6:16-18 - When You Fast

Scripture: Matthew 6:16–18 (ESV) “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Episode Summary In this episode, we explore Jesus’s teaching on fasting as the final example of practicing righteousness in secret. In the first century, fasting was a normal part of spiritual life. It was a way to express humility, repentance, and dependence on God. But Jesus calls us to a deeper sincerity, turning fasting from performance into presence. We look at how His words challenge both ancient and modern tendencies to make devotion a show, inviting us instead into quiet communion with the Father who “sees in secret.” True fasting, we discover, isn’t about deprivation. It’s about alignment, focus, and transformation that begins beneath the surface. Takeaways Jesus says “when you fast,” not “if”—it’s an expected rhythm of faith. “Wash your face and anoint your head” reminds us to embody joy, not gloom. Fasting was never meant to signal holiness; it’s meant to nurture humility. The Greek aphanizō (“disfigure”) means “to make vanish”—a warning not to lose our authentic selves behind pious appearances. Fasting is focus, not punishment—a way to clear space for God. Early Church Fathers taught that fasting renews the soul and trains the heart toward love. The kingdom of God grows in quiet soil; what’s done in secret becomes fruit in public. Recommended Reading & Sources The Gospel of Matthew (The Daily Study Bible) — William Barclay The Divine Conspiracy — Dallas Willard On Fasting and Feasts — St. John Chrysostom Confessions — St. Augustine The HarperCollins Study Bible, notes on Matthew 6:16–18 The Jewish Annotated New Testament, commentary on Matthew 6 About the Podcast Gospel at a Glance walks through the gospels one short passage at a time, finding depth, challenge, and comfort in just a few verses. Follow for weekly reflections that invite us to see how the kingdom of God still breaks into ordinary life. Connect: Email: [email protected] Instagram: http://instagram.com/gospelataglancepod Substack: http://gospelataglance.substack.com Keywords fasting, spiritual discipline, secret devotion, Matthew 6, Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, prayer, righteousness, humility, transformation, sincerity Hashtags #GospelAtAGlance #WhenYouFast #Matthew6 #SermonOnTheMount #Fasting #Faith #Humility #KingdomOfGod