however, difficult to accept. When a sprawling food market is just minutes away by foot (and fewer by car),
―Give us our daily bread" resists a literal interpretation. Nevertheless, despite the difficult choices of re-
ordering priorities and re-building the macro-structure of a lifestyle (which are often necessary for entering
the Kingdom of Heaven), tremendous liberty and privilege accrue to those who make them. They may
confidently pursue a life full of assisting those in need: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, educating the
unlearned, visiting those in prison and the hospital, caring for the forgotten, and praying for the sick. Such a
program can be pursued without the financial backing of a charitable organisation or church. It requires only
the vision, tenacity and fortitude to pray: ―Give me this day my daily bread!"
6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses
―(14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive
not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses‖
Babylonian Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 17a: ―Only if you forgive others will God forgive you‖.
Babylonian Talmud, Shabat 151b: ―One who is merciful toward others, God will be merciful toward him‖.
6:16- 18 Fast
―(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. (17) But thou, when
thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; (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‖.
A fast was a voluntary abstinence from food observed as a religious exercise. It was frequently accompanied
by prayer in the Old Covenant (1 Sam 7:5,6; 2 Chron 20:3-4; Ezra 8:21-23, etc.). It expressed genuine
repentance for sin (Jonah 3:5), lamentation over calamity (Judges 20:26), or the death of a loved one
(2 Sam 1:12). In addition, fasting was observed as an aid to religious concentration and the preparation for
divine revelation (Exod 34:28; Deut 9:9, 18).
The Law required only one fast, and this is on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:29, 31; 23:26-32; Num 29:7).
After the exile, four other annual fasts were added (Zech 8:19). According to the Talmud, each of these
commemorated a disaster in Jewish history. Devout Jews in Y‘shua‘s day seemingly fasted twice a week
(Luke 18:12).
In Old Testament days, too much value was placed on the external rite of fasting as opposed to the proper
condition of the heart (Isaiah 58). In the days of Y‘shua, this same kind of error was prevalent. The two
Jewish days of weekly fasting were on Monday and Thursday (Barclay, Matthew, I, p. 237). It was probably
no coincidence that these were also the market days when people from the countryside crowded into the city
to buy and sell. It was a golden opportunity for the public display of piety. The so-called ̳religious Jews‘ knew
how to wring every drop of self-gratification out of this practice. They left their hair unkempt, their faces dirty,
and they wore a gaunt look on their faces that worked upon the sympathy and admiration of the less
committed.
The condemnation of such pretension can be seen in Y‘shua‘s remarks in verses 16- 1 8. They have received
all the reward they can expect – the commendation of their fellowmen. But in order to please YHWH, they
must carry out their acts of devotion in private. Their hair should be combed, they should wash their faces
and conceal the fact that they have chosen to abstain from food for a time. The Elohim Who knows the
secret intentions and motives of men, the Eloah Who observes our every deed, will surely reward true piety
(verse 18).
Instruction concerning fasting seems like a leftover to those of us who know little of deprivation, especially
voluntary deprivation. We would rather focus upon the principle and pass over the practice hastily. But I
would be honest with the entire text of Scripture only if I made several additional comments.
First, Y‘shua Himself fasted (Matt 4:2). His disciples did not fast, but only because it would be inappropriate
while the Messiah was with them (Matt 9:14-15). The New Covenant church observed the practice of fasting
(Acts 13:2-3; 14:23), and Paul spoke of it also (2 Cor 6:5; 11:27).
Second, although fasting is not compulsory, it is an option for Believers to consider and it has real value. Far
from being detrimental to one‘s health, it is likely beneficial. Most Western people eat far more than they
need. Fasting develops and practices the little-known art of self-discipline. Paul said that a man should learn
to rule over his body, and not give into its every appetite (1 Cor 9:24-27). Fasting also teaches us to do
without things which are not really essential. In a day of luxuries (which are considered necessities), it is