Jesus concluded His comparison of His kingdom's ethic with Israel's practice of public piety by considering the matter of fasting. Though not explicitly commanded by the Law of Moses, fasting became an important part of Israel's life, particularly in the period following the destruction of Solomon's temple and the city of Jerusalem. Consistent with His treatment of alms-giving and public prayer, Jesus was here confronting the self-referential, self-serving way in which men undertake their religious exercises. Given His audience, Jesus drew upon Jewish practice, but the issue of hypocritical piety extends to all cultures and religions. Self-referential, self-serving piety is a human problem, not a Jewish one, for the simple reason that it has its source and inevitability in man's estrangement from God. Thus the answer to disingenuous fasting - as also hypocritical charity and prayer - isn't a better understanding, deeper conviction or new resolve; the answer is a new creation.
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