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.”

Context:Matthew 6:18 is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, specifically within His teaching on fasting. In this sermon, Jesus addresses the importance of maintaining a sincere and authentic relationship with God, rather than seeking the approval or recognition of others.

Key Themes:

• Fasting in secret:Jesus encourages His disciples to maintain a genuine and private approach to fasting. The focus should not be on drawing attention to oneself, but on seeking God’s approval and intimacy in private. This emphasizes the importance of humility and sincerity in our spiritual disciplines.
• Recognition from the Father:Jesus highlights the fact that even though our fasting should be done in secret, God the Father sees everything we do. He acknowledges our devotion and commitment to seeking Him genuinely. When we fast with the right motives, God takes notice, and He promises to reward us openly.

• True vs. false motives:Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the importance of examining our motives in religious practices. He contrasts the hypocritical acts of the Pharisees, who performed their religious duties to be seen by others, with the authentic devotion that comes from a genuine relationship with God. Jesus encourages His disciples to prioritize their inner spiritual lives over outward displays of righteousness.

Application:

• Private devotion:Matthew 6:18 reminds us to prioritise our personal relationship with God. It’s essential to engage in spiritual disciplines such as fasting, prayer, and other acts of devotion, not to impress others, but to deepen our connection with God in secret. This involves cultivating a heart of humility and sincerity before God.
• God’s approval:We are called to seek God’s approval rather than the approval of others. It’s natural to desire recognition and praise from people, but our primary focus should be on pleasing God. When we engage in acts of devotion with the right motives, we can trust that God sees and rewards us openly in His perfect timing and in ways that align with His purposes.
• Inner transformation:Jesus’ teachings on fasting in Matthew 6:18 challenge us to examine our motives and intentions. Are we seeking spiritual disciplines as a means to impress others or to cultivate a deeper connection with God? Fasting and other practices should be accompanied by a genuine desire for personal transformation and a sincere pursuit of God’s presence.

Conclusion:

Matthew 6:18 reminds us that our spiritual practices, including fasting, should be done with a sincere heart, seeking the approval of God rather than the recognition of people. God values our private devotion and promises to reward us openly when we seek Him with authenticity and humility. Let us cultivate a genuine and intimate relationship with God, prioritising our inner spiritual lives and seeking His approval above all else.