Fasting

# Walk with Jesus: Day 145

How Jesus Embodied Self-Control Here

In this passage, Jesus demonstrates profound self-control through His teachings about the hidden nature of spiritual discipline. Rather than seeking the immediate gratification of public recognition, Jesus advocates for what might seem counterintuitive: "anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret."

This instruction reveals Jesus's mastery over the natural human desire for validation and praise. In first-century Jewish culture, fasting was often accompanied by visible signs of mourning—ashes, torn garments, and unwashed faces—that announced one's piety to the world. The Pharisees had turned this into theater, "disfigur[ing] their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast." They received their reward immediately: human admiration.

Jesus's approach required far greater self-control. He called for the discipline to fast without the dopamine hit of social recognition. This demanded mastery over the ego's craving for immediate feedback. When He says "thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly," Jesus models a remarkable patience—the self-control to wait for God's timing rather than manufacturing our own applause.

The cultural context makes this even more striking. In an honor-shame society where public reputation was everything, Jesus advocated for invisible righteousness. This wasn't merely about fasting; it was about developing the internal discipline to find satisfaction in God's approval alone, even when no one else knows of our sacrifice.

Following His Example

Practice invisible acts of service. Choose one meaningful act of service each week that no one will know about—paying someone's bill anonymously, cleaning up a mess you didn't make, or writing an encouraging note without signing it. Resist the urge to tell anyone, even indirectly. This builds the spiritual muscle of finding satisfaction in the act itself rather than in recognition.

Create "secret" spiritual disciplines. Develop a prayer or devotional practice that exists solely between you and God. Don't post about it on social media, mention it in conversations, or use spiritual language that signals your devotion to others. When you feel the pull to share your spiritual insights or practices for validation, pause and ask whether this serves your ego or your growth.

Delay gratification in small, daily choices. Self-control in major spiritual matters grows from self-control in minor ones. Practice waiting—whether it's not immediately checking your phone when it buzzes, eating your favorite part of the meal last, or taking a cold shower. These small acts of self-mastery train you to choose long-term spiritual rewards over immediate emotional satisfaction.

Echoes in Other Traditions

The principle of hidden spiritual practice and self-control appears across many wisdom traditions. From the Buddhist emphasis on non-attachment to praise and blame, to the Stoic focus on internal rather than external goods, to the Islamic understanding of sincere worship done solely for Allah's sake, spiritual maturity consistently involves mastering the ego's need for recognition. These traditions recognize that true spiritual power emerges not from public display but from private discipline.