Our Scripture meditation is based on Isaiah 58:5-7, from next week’s Old Testament Reading for next week. For a meditation on the Gospel Lesson for the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany, click HERE.
[5] Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? [6] “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
On the surface this passage seems to recommend replacing one religious practice (fasting) with another religious practice (addressing our neighbor’s physical needs). Look below the surface and we discover the passage also deals with motives.
In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus teaches that fasting should not be used to draw attention to ourselves. Instead, fasting should be known only by God and the one fasting. This speaks to the motives of the one fasting. Isaiah is addressing the same issue from a different angle.
In verse five, Isaiah questions the motives of those fasting: “Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?”. Then Isaiah shifts to describing actions that are truly godly, such as sharing our bread with the hungry and covering the naked.
Notice that Isaiah does not condemn fasting itself. Fasting can still be done for godly reasons. Meeting our neighbor’s physical verifies the motives of those who are fasting.
We have the freedom in Christ to express our love for God in a myriad of ways. We know that fasting and caring for our neighbor are two such acts of faith. Isaiah is teaching us to take a close look at our motives when we engage in such activities. Or are we seeking self-promotion? Are we seeking to honor or please God?
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
Kevin Wilson 360 