Matthew 6:16-18
from Podcast on The Way Hosted by Dale Tompkins
In a culture obsessed with visibility and recognition, Jesus presents a radical alternative: the hidden life of faith. Through His teaching on fasting in Matthew 6:16-18, He addresses a fundamental question that extends far beyond this single spiritual discipline - who is your audience when you practice your faith? Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of disfiguring one's face to be seen by others while fasting. The irony is striking: making oneself unrecognizable in order to be recognized, becoming invisible to appear more visible. This transforms what should be a God-directed discipline into a people-directed performance. The appetite for recognition becomes a form of spiritual gluttony, where we crave acknowledgment for our holy activities rather than genuine connection with God. The real test of our motives comes when our service goes unnoticed, our sacrifices aren't acknowledged, and our spiritual disciplines receive no recognition. If there's an ache inside us during these moments, it reveals who our real audience has been all along. Jesus offers a different path: practice spiritual disciplines in secret, appearing normal while fasting, and directing our righteousness toward the Father who sees everything no one else sees. The reward isn't a transaction but entry into relationship with God Himself. For those serving quietly without fanfare, Jesus promises that the Father sees and will reward the hidden life that builds treasure in heaven where it can never be taken away.
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