Some choose to preach, some don't. Why, I don't know. They may each have their various reasons.
Could it be that Jesus' command was to preach the "good news of God's Kingdom as a witness (or testimony) to all the nations" before the "end" of the present system of things. (Matthew 24:14)......and yet the churches don't seem to know exactly what the kingdom is, or what it will do for mankind. (Revelation 21:2-4; Daniel 2:44)
From your perspective, what do you believe the Kingdom of God is? How does it "come"? How then is God's will "done on earth as it is in heaven"?
The same goes for
Luke 14:33, "Whosoever does not forsake all that He has, Cannot be my disciple." People will read this an not do it, yet still claim to be a disciple (which is the same thing as Christian), though Jesus says we must
do this in order to become His disciple.
Do you remember Jesus' words to his disciples concerning the coming fall of Jerusalem, which occurred 37 years after his death?
Mark 13:14-16....Jesus said
"....when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader use discernment), then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. 15 Let the man on the housetop not come down nor go inside to take anything out of his house; 16 and let the man in the field not return to the things behind to pick up his outer garment."
These are apparently people with possessions who are told not to take them out of their homes when fleeing to the mountains after they saw the Romans laying siege to Jerusalem.
Luke's account provides more details.....
“However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. 21 Then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her, 22 because these are days for meting out justice in order that all the things written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! For there will be great distress on the land and wrath against this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled."
We know that the Romans, after laying siege to the city in 66 CE, suddenly withdrew for no apparent reason. Seeing the way clear, the Christians obeyed Jesus' command and fled to the mountains, many of them to a city called Pella. Others sought refuge on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. Those Christians 'forsook' all their possessions in order to save their lives. This is what I believe Jesus meant in Mark 14:33. Not that they needed to sell all their possessions and have nothing, because austerity was never an evidence of being Christian. Living a simple life, free from the love of money was more the recommendation. But the interesting part of the story is that the Romans did not return to destroy the city for another four years. Many of the Jewish Christians had left businesses in Jerusalem and they had fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a few meager provisions. When it became apparent that the Romans were not coming back, the temptation would have been to go back.....any who did would have suffered one of the worst sieges in Jewish history. Again, we see that obedience saves lives....even if it means giving up all that we own.
Are you familiar with what the "appointed times of the nations" are? (Sometimes called "the Gentile Times") And how they are "fulfilled"?
What about the verse I quoted in
Matthew 6? The sermon on the mount are teachings for those that want to follow Jesus. Was this passage added as well?
Jesus was Jewish and he was sent to preach only to Jews. Jews were under Law and fasting was part of the Law. Its not that fasting is bad for Christians, but simply a personal choice. As you said....done in secret.
Not sure why sharing the fact of what other beliefs hold is relevant in this context. Considering Jesus teaches that it is still relevant to do. Whether or not other religions partake in the same practice is irrelevant to what Jesus taught. Considering we are christians.
Just demonstrating that fasting is practiced in other faiths. These other faiths see it as a way to get closer to God.
Jesus upheld the Law whilst it was current, but after his death, the Law was no longer binding on Christ's followers. Jesus fulfilled it. He was the permanent atonement sacrifice....once for all time.Jews no longer needed to sacrifice animals but were free to practice the other parts if they wished. The Law was perfect.
As mentioned above, Jesus taught we should fast, but secretly (Matt 6). Though I think we should do it as God leads, we must also see the importance that God puts on doing it. Our flesh always wants to find a way to fulfill it's needs.
Can you show me a requirement for Christians (who were not Jewish) to fast? Neither fasting, nor circumcision were "necessary" for Christians according to Acts 15:28-29. But again...its a personal choice and nothing wrong with it. Its between you and God....no one has to know.
We are not under the Mosaic Law. But Jesus' teachings are not part of the OT. Jesus' teachings are part of the NT, thus, we should obey His commands. Similar to the ones you follow by going out 'two-by-two' and preaching the Gospel.
Do you see Christians today obeying Jesus' commands? Not just the convenient ones, but all of them?
How many become part of this world by meddling in it politics? (John 18:36) Supporting their nation's military and sharing guilt for the innocent blood spilled in the wars of their nations? (Isaiah 1:15) How many Christians participate in pagan festivals dressed up to look like Christian celebrations? Does it ever occur to people that the two most important celebrations on their calendar were originally nothing to do with Jesus? They just grafted him into them. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) Is that OK with God, do you think?
Preaching was a command....because people's lives were at stake. (Ezekiel 3:17-21) What applied in Ezekiel's day, applies today as well. We have a duty to warn people about God's intentions.......not that we expect a great response, because Jesus likens our day to Noah's. "Few" will respond. (Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 24:37-39) but we have to find them. (Matthew 10:11-15)