MORE THAN BREAD: RETHINKING FASTING
Mechelle Holbrook
Today’s Scripture: “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’” Matthew 4:4, ESV
Theme: When we fast, it helps us to remember that our lives depend on more than food as Jesus recalled when He was fasting.
"DO I REALLY HAVE TO DO THAT?”
Wait… you want me to fast? Does God even want me to do that? There’s no way I can. I’ll starve. My health won’t allow it. Only certain people do that, right? Is fasting even something we still need to do? Are there different ways to fast? Did Jesus really do it?
And the questions just keep coming. Many of us freak out about fasting. I know I have. Like so many spiritual practices, we tend to overcomplicate it.
WHY FASTING FEELS SO OVERWHELMING
As you read the devotions this week about fasting, take time to think about it, ponder it—but most of all, pray over it. God is good, and He desires to draw close to us. The purpose of fasting is not to impress God or to earn His favor. It is meant to take our eyes off the things of this world so we can focus completely on Him. Fasting doesn’t change God—it changes us. Prayer and fasting should never feel like a burden or a duty. They remind us that our very lives are dependent on God.
JESUS AND THE PURPOSE OF FASTING
Jesus Himself fasted. In Matthew chapter 4, we see that He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. Jesus experienced temptation just like we do. He fasted for forty days, and afterward, He was hungry. That’s when the tempter came, using His hunger as a way to try to get Him to disobey God. This moment closely connects to the Old Testament story of the Israelites in the desert. They were hungry, and God provided manna for them. Through this, God showed them that He alone was their provider and their daily provision. The manna could not be stored up—it required daily dependence on God. Jesus’ response reflects this truth when He said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus refused to rely on Himself to meet His needs. He chose instead to depend fully on the Father.
Make It Personal: This verse reminds us that we, too, are called to depend on the Lord for our every need. Fasting is one way God helps us recognize how much we rely on other things —and how deeply we need Him instead of anything else.
This week, ask yourself: How can I pay more attention to the ways God is providing for me? How can I see more clearly that what I truly need is God Himself? Maybe you’re still undecided about fasting. That’s okay. Go to God’s Word and ask Him what He would have you do. We may find that when we fast like Jesus, in the power of the Spirit we may also stand firm against the enemy (Matthew 4:1-11).
Pray: God, remind Your precious people that our lives are about more than food or the next thing we desire. Your words are life—they are our very life. Thank You for Your patience with us. Help us to see what we cannot see on our own. Amen.
Read: Matthew 4:1-11, Exodus 16:15, John 6:63, Deuteronomy 8:18
Weekly Memory Verse: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, ESV