March 16, 2016
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:14-18
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Questions for Reflection:
Jesus builds on the clause from the previous model prayer and explains the importance of forgiveness. According to the passage above, why is forgiving those who have sinned against you so important? What is the most difficult thing that you have had to forgive? Have you been been able to forgive the other person? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said, “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”
Not only did Jesus expand on his teaching on forgiveness, he reinforces his teaching on prayer by exploring the topic of fasting. Notice the first three words of verse 16. What’s the difference between Jesus saying “when you fast” instead of saying “if you fast”? Fasting was a regular part of the Jewish religious life. However, like much of their religious practices, it had become more of a routine for show rather than a leaning into the provision of God.
Have you fasted before? If so, when was the last time that you fasted? What have you learned from your experiences while from fasting? If you haven’t fasted before, why not? As we move forward to Because 50 as a church, maybe you could consider fasting as part of the experience. If you’ve never fasted before, you could start by fasting lunch or dinner one day a week. Trade the time that you would have spent eating for Bible study and prayer. When you feel hunger pains, use the growl to remind you that God provides for your needs. Use the spiritual discipline of fasting to draw nearer to God.