Jesus: Fasting, Treasures, and Light

By Mary Vee
Matthew 5, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to today's post. 

We are sitting on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee, and there is a large number of people here with us, some have traveled a long ways to hear Jesus speak.

Jesus has been speaking most of the morning. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. Posts telling what he said already are below.  Just scroll down.

I am here to tell you what Jesus said on that day.

Jesus said, "When you set aside eating a meal to worship the Father do not go about looking somber as the hypocrites do. They disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their full reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, go about not attracting attention to yourself. Isn't the reason for fasting to give God the glory and not yourself? Your Father who sees what is in secret will reward you.

"I say, do not store up wealth on earth. Moth and rust destroy all these things. Thieves break in and steal these things. Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. There moth and rust will not destroy and thieves won't be able to break in and steal. Where your treasure is truly hidden, there your heart will be.

"Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eyes are good, opened wide to see all that God has for you, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, squinting with greed and distrust then your whole body will be full of darkness. If you have blinds blocking the light to your eyes, how great is that darkness! You are empty.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

And so Jesus continued, but those words will be told next time.

Author's note, this section is from the Sermon on the Mount. Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.