The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

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( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Matthew:6:16-18

kjv@Matthew: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.

kjv@Matthew:6:17 @ But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

kjv@Matthew:6:18 @ That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

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Today's notes: When Ye Fast

Context:

• Before - When ye pray
  
• After - Eye be single
  

What is man believing/doing?:

• Fasting as a religious observance
  
• Anointing
  

What is making man to believe/do as he is doing?:

• Fasting commanded once on Day of Atonement
  
• Fasting called by leaders at certain times of national crises or need or repentance, called by individuals at times of despair or sickness or preparation, observed by traditions in remembrance of momentous historical events, custom of some twice a week, in preparation for exorcism
  
• Fasting as sign/expression of grief, mourning, sorrow, cleansing, fear, confusion, to discipline/master the physical appetites, conscription/submit body and soul to higher plane, piety, to become closer to or ask more from God, be be rewarded
  
• Fasting to be seen/not seen by men
  
• Anointing for personal hygiene and refreshment, to alter appearance
  

Notes:

Once again by context, it may be said that the church body's intention and observance can easily be altered by it's conscious execution. The object can become everything outside of one's closet space, who is fasting, who is most sincere, who is watching, how do others appear to be holding up. These things subtract from the truer meaning of a fast. If the context is to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees who fast frequently and quite public, the exceeding is in the quality and connection to God and Church body not the quantity and show.

That our Lord's own followers would have enough problem with this that He would have to exhort them defines the difference between going through the motions and seeking to be truly connected. That He emphasizes this as specific point that He wants His followers to exceed above all others at illustrates the importance of realness and connection. That He would encourage us to do this secretly (focused on our own space) but as a group teaches that our connection to Him individually is vitally important to our connection to Him as a group and as a result strengthens our connection one to another as a group; not to allow that to be side tracked by appearances and perceptions/religiosity.

The Church body being comprised of so many variances in attitudes and intentions toward fasting is challenged to exercise such unity of focus. The experience can be cleansing and edifying or else revealing and reproving.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

1. People from all over the world of many faiths fast for very similar reasons; there seems to be a universal awareness that the body and soul need frequent realigning with the spirit. The object or deity to which the fast is made differs however, and if there be only one true object the experience inherently becomes counterfeit and artificial apart from that one object.
   
2. That it leaves the voluntary and innocent intention so soon and becomes such religiosity and legalism or becomes the outwardly sign of piety should be telling of man's present condition. It shows that the focus becomes on what self and or others are thinking rather than the body/soul fully surrendered reaching out spiritually hungry for God.
   

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Further Resources:

Comment Board:Matthew:6:16-18
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Matthew:6:16-18 rwp@Matthew:6:16-18 mhcc@Matthew:6:16-18
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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