I: Is Fasting commanded?

I: Is Fasting commanded?

In short, No!

So that's that, you don't have to do it!

BUT
...... in Jesus' thinking, fasting is expected, and taken as completely normal. Look at the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6
1 Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 So, when you give … your Father who sees in secret will reward you......
The Lord’s Prayer
5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites... when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you......
...9 Pray then like this:

Our Father in heaven (The Lord's Prayer) ......
...... 16 And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head with (hair gel, oil, or any other hair or scalp products to make you look grrrrrrreat!!!)
and wash your face, so that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Here are 3 Lessons from Jesus' teaching in this passage:


1: Jesus expects us to fast, just as He expects us to give and to pray. It's normal activity for a serious disciple of Jesus.

2: We know that God values it because He sees it and rewards it.

3: Don't parade it to others, but do it as discreetly as possible. This means that although it's not always possible to be completely secret in practical terms in a house or family, so don't be legalistic, but just don't use it to impress others with your dour determined hungry spirituality.

So is fasting commanded?
No, it's expected!