“When You Fast” – Matthew 6:16-18

1.   PRACTICE

      a.   47 X in the OT, and 10 X “afflict your souls” = day of Atonement

      b.   20 X in the NT (12 X in the accounts of the Pharisees and John’s disciples - Mt 9; Mk 2; Lk 5)

      c.   Not mentioned until Leviticus 16:29

      d.   PUBLIC

            i.   Zechariah 8:19 - fasts proclaimed in memory of terrible events in the history of the people:

                  (1) 4^th month = 9^th day - surrender of Jerusalem to Babylon following the 2-year siege and famine (Jer 29:2; 52:6-7)

                  (2) 5^th month = Nebuchadnezzar’s entrance into Jerusalem and burning destruction of the temple, palace, and city

                  (3) 7^th month = slaying of Gedaliah and the holy men of God

                  (4) 10^th month = the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem

            ii.  Jonah 3

      e.   PROCLAIMED:

            i.   1 Kings 21:9 – Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth

            ii.  Jonah 3 – proclaimed by the king of Nineveh

      f.   PREROGATIVE

            i.   Fasting is neither forbidden nor enjoined in the NT

            ii.  The Pharisees and John’s disciples practiced fasting, but Jesus’ disciples did not fast – Matthew 9:14

                  (1) they were perfectly content that their practice was correct;

                  (2) they inquired of Jesus as to why His disciple did not fast.

            iii. Jesus: ‘A time will come when My disciples will fast.’ v 15

2.   PURPOSE

      a.   PRETENSE of PIETY

            i.   Zechariah 7:3-5

            ii.  Matthew 6:16-18

            iii. Luke 18:9-14

      b.   PASSION (intense emotion, including anger and pain)

            i.   Isaiah 58:2-5; Acts 23:12, 21

            ii.  2 Samuel 12:16, 21 – David and his child by Bathsheba

            iii. Daniel 9:1-6

            iv. Matthew 9:15

      c.   PRAYER

            i.   Psalm 35:10-18 – David fasted & prayed for his enemies

            ii.  Acts 13:2-3

            iii. Acts 14:23

      d.   PROVIDENCE

            i.   Ezra 8:21

            ii.  2 Chronicles 20 – Jehosaphat

      e.   PRIORITY:

            i.   Matthew 6:25-33

            ii.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

      f.   PROGRESS in Faith

            i.   Matthew 17:21

            ii.  1 Corinthians 7:5