Jesus is talking about fasting, but he doesn't tell us how to fast. Instead, he tells us how not to look when we do. What's going on here?

Jesus is calling out the religious performance of his day. Some people fasted to make sure everyone knew they were fasting. They'd put on a sad face, maybe even skip washing or anointing themselves – actions that normally showed care and normal life – to signal their supposed piety.

But Jesus says, 'Nope!' When you fast, don't change your outward appearance to broadcast it. He says to anoint your head and wash your face. These were normal, everyday acts of self-care and presentation. The point is to do your fasting privately, focusing on your relationship with God, not on impressing people.

It's a reminder that true spirituality isn't about putting on a show. It's about what's going on inside, between you and God.

Anointing your head and washing your face were signs of joy and normal life. Jesus tells us to do these things while fasting? Doesn't that seem contradictory?

In Jesus' day, anointing your head with oil and washing your face weren't just about hygiene; they were often associated with times of celebration and well-being. Not doing these things was a sign of mourning or deep sorrow.

So, when Jesus says to anoint and wash while fasting, he's giving a radical instruction. He's saying that even in a time of self-denial and focused repentance (which fasting often signifies), we can carry an inner joy rooted in God. It's not about faking happiness, but about remembering that our ultimate hope and joy are found in God, not in outward circumstances or earthly comforts.

This means our fasting isn't meant to be a gloomy, attention-seeking display of misery. It's a private discipline that, when done right, should be accompanied by a quiet confidence in God's presence and promises.