The Upside-Down Kingdom
Imagine stepping into a theater. The lights dim. The curtain rises. An actor walks onto the stage wearing a mask. The mask shows sorrow, intensity, devotion. But behind it, he’s simply playing a role. He’s performing.
That is the word Jesus uses when He warns about hypocrisy. The word “hypocrites” originally referred to stage actors, people who wore masks and pretended to be someone they were not. And in Matthew 6, Jesus says some people fast like that.
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:16
When Sacrifice Becomes a Performance
Fasting is simple. It is choosing to go without something, usually food, for spiritual purposes. It is a way of saying, “God, I need You more than I need this.” It is not dieting. It is not about proving discipline. It is an expression of dependence and desperation.
Throughout Scripture, people fasted in moments of deep repentance, crisis, and urgent prayer. Even Jesus fasted. That alone should get our attention. Fasting is not a fringe activity for ultra-spiritual Christians. It is a way of acknowledging need.
But in Jesus’ day, some religious leaders had turned fasting into theater. They would “disfigure their faces.” In other words, they intentionally looked miserable so people would notice. They wanted others to ask what was wrong so they could explain how much they were sacrificing.
Jesus exposes the motive: “that they may appear unto men to fast.” They wanted to be seen. They wanted recognition. And then comes the verdict: “They have their reward.” The attention they receive is all they will ever get.
No deeper fellowship. No eternal fruit. Just applause.
The Mask We Still Wear
We probably do not smear ashes on our faces. But the temptation has not changed.
We can still subtly broadcast our sacrifice. We can talk about how busy we are serving. We can mention what we have given up. We can highlight how different we are from everyone else. Sometimes we want admiration. Sometimes we want sympathy. Sometimes we just want someone to notice that following Christ has cost us something.
Sacrifice itself is not the problem. Following Jesus will cost you something. The problem is performing that sacrifice to gain approval from people. When devotion becomes a performance, it stops being devotion.
And here is an uncomfortable truth: for many of us, the issue is not that we fast for show. The issue is that we rarely fast at all.
Jesus did not say “if ye fast.” He said “when ye fast.” The early church fasted when sending out missionaries and appointing leaders. Paul spoke of “fastings often.” They fasted because they were desperate for God’s direction and power. They were not trying to look spiritual. They knew they were needy.
The Hidden Stage
Jesus gives a better way. “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face.” In simple terms, act normal. Take care of yourself. Do not broadcast your sacrifice. Do not drop hints. Do not make sure someone notices.
Why? “That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret.”
There are two stages you can live on. One is bright, loud, and full of recognition. The other is quiet and unseen. But on that hidden stage, there is one Person watching.
Your Father sees in secret.
He sees when you put your phone away to seek Him. He sees when you deny yourself something to spend time in prayer. He sees when you choose holiness and never tell anyone what it cost you. And Jesus promises, “thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”
That reward is not shallow applause. It is spiritual fruit, deeper joy, greater freedom, and eternal reward. When this life is over, it will not matter who noticed your sacrifice. It will matter whether your Father did.
So the question is simple. Are you living for the crowd, or for the One who sees in secret? You cannot perform for both. One stage offers quick recognition. The other offers lasting reward. Choose carefully.
This Article is a part of a series
The Upside-Down Kingdom
Bobby Bosler is director of Thee Generation and pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Fairmont, WV. He, his wife, Abi, and their four children traveled the country for 14 years in evangelism, reaching teens with the gospel and conducting revival meetings.
Our words. AI polished. This article was adapted from the author's original content using AI. We’ve used technology to clarify and adapt the message—while keeping the heart and voice the same. All articles are proofread and edited by a human.
