Matthew 6:16-18
The King calls His people to fast before the Father, not perform sacrifice before an audience.
16 “Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;
18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
The King calls his people to fast before the Father, not perform sacrifice before an audience.
Matthew records Jesus completing the giving-prayer-fasting triad by warning disciples not to turn fasting into public religious theater but to practice hidden devotion before the Father.
The Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus addresses the righteousness of his disciples before the Father.
Hidden Righteousness, the Father’s Reward, and Seeking First the Kingdom
Kingdom righteousness lives before the Father rather than human applause, treasures God above earthly security, and seeks first his kingdom with childlike trust.