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Yesterday’s message ended with these words: The Love of the Truth does not cause one to abandon common sense; it embraces it! Today we extend this thought as we continue to examine the scriptures that deal with questions posed to Jesus regarding fasting.

Biblical fasting demands a biblical motive. It is not something that someone can decide to do just because it is a certain day of the week, or month, or year. The called fasts of the Old Testament had specific motives in view and they were connected with national issues confronting Israel. On the other hand, personal fasts (electives, if you will) occurred because of some special circumstance in one’s life (e.g. the death of a loved one, a spiritual crisis or turning point, a special need that called for intense focus and prayer, etc.). In that vein, fasting was but a “natural” outgrowth of the disposition of one’s heart; it was a heartfelt ordeal!

Jesus addressed the fasting to which many were accustomed in His time - and they were wrong! Primarily, they were wrong due to unscriptural motives. Hear some of what He had to say about it: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6.16-18). Here is an interesting question: If the disciples of Jesus fasted in the manner that He prescribed, would the ordinary person know that they were fasting? Specifically, He said that His disciples should “…not appear to men to be fasting.” How did the querists in Luke 5 know how often the disciples of Jesus fasted? Answer: They didn’t! They assumed their answer based on their own traditions or customs and not reality!

The love of the truth does not assume a person is guilty! A person in whom the love of Jesus is alive and well is a person of compassion and reason. He/she is not trying to find fault, but rather delights in the right! There is a major difference! Anyone can find fault: it takes virtually no talent to do so. On the other hand, the love of the truth seeks to save and not condemn. Even if a flaw is found in another, the objective is not to point out the problem, but to provide a solution! Somehow, the folks who questioned Jesus missed this basic tenet; they rejoiced to find others in error, apparently believing that this sort of finding would elevate them in the minds of others! I don’t know about you, but I take little delight in hearing about the problems of others, and certainly do not see the bearer of such news as somehow being elevated because of that role! I suspect that if the Church had spent as much time trying to genuinely provide solutions to people in error as we have in just trying to expose them or convict them of wrong, its pews would be full to overflowing.

The Love of the Truth demands more than the ordinary; it is a high calling that elevates a person’s spiritual horizons and wants only the same for others.

Questions:

1. Why did Jesus make fasting a part of His message during the Sermon of the mount?

2. Regarding the hypocrites of whom Jesus spoke in Matthew 6, were they subject to receive a reward? If yes, from whom? How did God feel about their rituals?

3. Would it be wrong for another person to know you were fasting? THINK! Would it be wrong to fast so others could know about it and praise you for it?

4The love of the truth is a special disposition of heart. Do you think that someone who possesses this love would ever be satisfied just to find fault with another? Explain!

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Watching Your Dollars Fly Away