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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Luke 18:9-14

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

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Daily Devotional: Devotion Over Display

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 

Matthew 6:16-17

A few years back, I was having an intense conversation with a Christian friend. In a condescending voice, she said to me, “Well, right now I am fasting about that exact thing.”

My friend’s tone irked me. It made me feel spiritually less-than, because ‘fasting’ wasn’t in my wheelhouse at the time. In fact, I didn’t understand the spiritual practice of fasting whatsoever.

Fast forward, and now I know that fasting is a sacrificial practice intended to help us grow in our dependence on God. 

We defeat the purpose of fasting if, instead of becoming hungry for God, we satisfy our hunger by feeding on people’s praise. Humble bragging isn’t just off-putting; it prevents us from growing deeper with God. It is best to be discerning about when we share with someone that we are fasting. It’s helpful to ask ourselves: Am I sharing this to help further my friend’s spiritual journey and bring glory to God, or am I hoping to gain some kind of adoration? 

. Do you remember when Jesus went into the wilderness to pray (Matthew 4:1-11)? He was weak from fasting, but God gave him incredible strength to stand up to the evil one. Jesus is our ultimate example. He most likely learned about fasting from his parents and community, as Jewish people observed the Day of Atonement each year with a fast. At the conclusion of the fast, a large feast was held because God forgave their sins. 

He didn’t come out of the wilderness and shout to the hills that he had just finished his fast. He just went straight to preaching. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” I think that is exactly what happens when we fast: we are filled to the brim, even in our hunger. 

Feasting on God’s Word and spending time in prayer while fasting will move us, change us, and through it all, we will grow more and more dependent on Jesus.

Next Steps

If fasting and feasting on God’s word seem strange to you, here is an article about Biblical fasting. If you try out this spiritual practice with intention, I know you will sing “It Is Well With My Soul.”