Ministerial Success, or Sly Jesus
In Matt. 6:16-18 Jesus talks of fasting in secret. The context is two-fold. First, the commands to pray, give, fast in secret are tied to doing works of the law ("acts of righteousness," 6:1) as the law was intended--for God. Law is about fidelity to God ("Your Father in heaven sees....". But these actions have been co-opted and have connections with synagogue worship. In other words, Jesus' command to do these things in secret would bring as much attention as doing them publicly. Not doing them was obvious. The point was to have a formal break with the synagogue and cultural loyalties.
And his disciples do just that--they fast in secret. How do we know? Because in Matt. 9:14-17, we have John's disciples asking Jesus why his disciples do not fast, when they and the Pharisees do fast. And Jesus' response? He lets them continue thinking that they are not fasting! He doesn't remind them that he is about recalling allegiance to God. Jesus' disciples have stopped engaging publicly in these practices and, it can be assumed, started practicing them in secret--in loyalty to God. When will the disciples engage in public fasting, again? When will they start engaging in the works which set them apart as Christians? When the bridegroom has gone. When public fasting takes on a new form and symbolizes a new fidelity.
It's no wonder, then, that the next recording of Jesus' followers fasting is in Acts 13: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting...." The connection of fasting is back in the context of worship. The death and resurrection of Jesus has re-established the law of fasting and brought it into a new community, except it is those not centered around synagogue, but around Jesus. Now fasting is explicitly tied to the Messiahship of Jesus whom they worship. They are now fasting corporately, as a community, in honour of Jesus. They are fasting not for cultural and societal acceptance, but for worship--and in this state they discern the Spirit's leading.
(I suppose it makes sense, then, that Jesus says, "I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.")
And his disciples do just that--they fast in secret. How do we know? Because in Matt. 9:14-17, we have John's disciples asking Jesus why his disciples do not fast, when they and the Pharisees do fast. And Jesus' response? He lets them continue thinking that they are not fasting! He doesn't remind them that he is about recalling allegiance to God. Jesus' disciples have stopped engaging publicly in these practices and, it can be assumed, started practicing them in secret--in loyalty to God. When will the disciples engage in public fasting, again? When will they start engaging in the works which set them apart as Christians? When the bridegroom has gone. When public fasting takes on a new form and symbolizes a new fidelity.
It's no wonder, then, that the next recording of Jesus' followers fasting is in Acts 13: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting...." The connection of fasting is back in the context of worship. The death and resurrection of Jesus has re-established the law of fasting and brought it into a new community, except it is those not centered around synagogue, but around Jesus. Now fasting is explicitly tied to the Messiahship of Jesus whom they worship. They are now fasting corporately, as a community, in honour of Jesus. They are fasting not for cultural and societal acceptance, but for worship--and in this state they discern the Spirit's leading.
(I suppose it makes sense, then, that Jesus says, "I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.")
posted by Aaron Perry at
4:07 PM
6 Comments:
I thoroughly enjoyed this post AP...I have never looked at these passages and connected the dots like you have here... Very nice work!
Just one question. You say,
"Jesus' disciples have stopped engaging publicly in these practices and, it can be assumed, started practicing them in secret--in loyalty to God."
Is this assumption made weak because it is an assumption based on silence?
Again, I really enjoyed this AP.
Grace. Peace.
hey benson. good question. you are certainly right that it is an assumption based on silence. the text never does say explicitly, "the disciples practiced fasting in secret." does this make it weak? i don't think so. here are my thoughts:
Jesus assumes that the people listening to his sermon on the mount will continue to do Torah--"acts of righteousness" (6:1; see Deut 6:25). So, when you give (v. 2), when you pray (v. 5), when you fast (v. 16). however, one does these things for God. not doing them for God means, as Jesus says, doing them for people. he says to do them, but to reorient their purpose. the law is to show one's obedience and loyalty to God. otherwise it leads to hypocrisy.
so, if Jesus assumes people will do the law and tells them to do one's acts of righteousness in loyalty to God, then i think we can assume they are continuing to do acts of righteousness--which includes fasting.
all we know is that Jesus has said to fast in secret and the disciples have stopped fasting in public. seems likely to me they are fasting in secret.
the rest of it just falls into place if this is the point. if Jesus is reorienting what it means to be God's people around himself and part of what it means to be God's people is certain practices, and these practices already have connection with hte law, then one would have to separate the practices from their context in order to reestablish and give new meaning to their use. and that is just what happens in Acts.
what do you think?
Yes, yes, yes! AP, you have it. And you helped me to see it, too. This is a fabulous post, one that can challenge all of us in our allegiance to God in our own acts of worship. I need to go testify or something....
thanks, durkee! the admittance fee? some have shared that before, so i'll work on it.
I think you are right AP... Often times, I think assumptions based on silence are weak... I don't think this one is... SOLD
Cheers!
A good word. Thanks for sharing this. :)
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