Living God’s way: Smiley Face Hides Fasting Face

Continuing His sermon, Jesus speaks to the crowd about their bodily appearance when they are fasting (Matthew 6:16-18). He says this pious action of fasting should be done in secret in order to hide their fasting. These comments are the third example Jesus gives of people doing things to be seen of men. Fasting was a religious practice observed by the Jews in the days of Jesus. It was considered by many to be a religious exercise where one would abstain from food or drink for a period of time. Jesus is not discussing the action, but rather people’s public facial and clothing appearance while fasting. Jesus portrays those who are fasting as one who puts “on a gloomy face.” They are pe