In the Fulness of Time/Part 29

By: Dr. Thomas O. Figart; ©2007

This month Dr. Figart explains the results of the forgiveness taught in Matthew 6:14-15, and the teaching on fasting from verses 16-18. What are the “right” and “wrong” ways to fast?

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Sincerity in Praying: The Application of Forgiveness. Matthew 6:14-15

In our discussion of Matthew 6:12 we listed three aspects of forgiveness: Judicial forgiveness, from all our sins (Colossians 2:13); Paternal forgiveness, in Matthew 6:12, which is our daily dealing with our Heavenly Father (see I John 1:9); and now here in Matthew 6:14-15, Fraternal forgiveness, which is between two Christians, which restores fellowship with one another:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

This admonition issues from the instruction in 6:12 where Jesus told His disciples to pray for forgiveness as they forgave others. Now He links it practically with fellowship with the Father; unless the horizontal relationships are right, the vertical relationship cannot be what it should be. Paternal forgiveness and fellowship depends upon fraternal forgiveness and fellowship. In the future kingdom of Christ on earth there will be no room for any such strained relationships. But even now, Ephesians 4:32 gives the same standard for us today!

As already noted, the use of (paraptomata) trespasses here and the use of (hamartia) sins in the parallel passage of Luke 11:4 would indicate that the (opheilemata) debts of 6:12 are something other than financial obligations. The matter of forgiveness will be considered from still another standpoint in Matthew 18:21-35.

Sincerity in Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting in the Wrong Way. 6:16

“Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.”

According to Moses’ Law fasting was required only on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29; 23:27-29). After the Babylonian Captivity and Destruction of Jerusalem, the Jews instituted four additional days of national fasting, lamenting these events. Others in the Old Testament fasted personally, or in groups for various reasons. By the time of Christ the Pharisees were fasting twice a week (Luke 19:12). In the early Church fasting was practiced for such things as the commissioning of missionaries (Acts 13:1-3) and ordaining elders (Acts 14:23).

Fasting is not the same as keeping your body under discipline, since this should always be practiced; but fasting is only for a specific purpose. It is not only depriving yourself of food, but of anything lawful (even husband and wife sexual relations, see I Corinthians 7:5) in order to give yourself wholly to prayer. However, when fasting becomes hypocritical or even ceremonial, it is no longer legitimate. Christ mentions three things here: There should be no hypocrisy “be not as the hypocrites;” no unnatural appearance “of a sad countenance” to exhibit superior sanctity before other people “disfiguring their faces that they may appear unto men to fast” (or, “making themselves unappearable, that they may appear”, a play on words); and finally, no human acclaim “They have their reward.”

Fasting in the Right Way. 6:17-18

“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face” (6:17).

The normal practices of daily hygiene should continue, the washing and anointing with oil. This is what Ruth did in preparation for her meeting with Boaz (Ruth 3:3). She certainly wanted to be as attractive as possible.

“that thou appear not unto men to fast” (6:18a).

In II Samuel 12:16-20 “David fasted and lay all night upon the earth” until he knew that his baby son had died. “Then David arose from the earth, and washed and anointed himself and changed his apparel, and came and worshiped.” This washing and anointing is just the opposite of fasting, yet it is exactly what Christ requires of those who fast.

“but unto thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (6:18b).

Do not seek to impress men, but seek to please the Heavenly Father and trust Him for heavenly rewards. How foolish then, are all the Lenten practices of ashes on the forehead and abstinence from some favorite food for forty days, to gain merit from God! He simply does not want this! Jehovah gave some choice words against hypocritical fasting in Isaiah 58:3-5:

“Why have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? Why have we afflicted our soul and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye shalt not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it not to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

The LORD goes on to say that what He really wants is a people who practice justice kindness and love: “Then shalt thou call and the LORD shall answer.” Then all the glorious rewards are listed, some temporal and some spiritual. So shall it be “in the fulness of time” in the Kingdom He presented to them and which they rejected!

Read Part 30