When was Your Last Meal?

And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

Meditate. Focus on God…not food.

Jesus was continuing to encourage the Jews who were seated on the hillside near the Sea of Galilee. As Jews they knew some principals of fasting like when and where to fast. God had declared the Day of Atonement as a day of fasting.

Ten days later, on the tenth day of the same month, you must call another holy assembly. On that day, the Day of Atonement, the people must go without food and must do no ordinary work. Numbers 29:7

The Jews had historical examples of fasting. David fasted when his son was sick and dying as recorded in 2 Samual 12. He knew he had sinned against God, but was pleading with God to spare his son’s life. Another of their historical examples was Queen Esther who fasted to save the Jews from annihilation. Read about that in the book of Esther. People responded to Jonah’s message from God by fasting. Fasting was a tradition as noted in other books. 

The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. Jonah 3:5

They were to ask this question of the prophets and the priests at the Temple of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies: “Should we continue to mourn and fast each summer on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction, as we have done for so many years?” Zechariah 7:3 

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes. Daniel 9:3 

This why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Joel 2:12 

Here we see the Pharisees confronting Jesus about fasting principles. 

One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?”  Luke 5:33

His response is the classical answer we read in Matthew 6:16-18. Fasting is really an individual response to one humbling themselves before God. It can be done with a group of people, but no one needs to draw attention to themselves. Jesus provided good practical instruction in this passage that was good for people at that time and now. 

Prayer ~ Thank You, Jesus, for teaching us to humble ourselves before You and our Heavenly Father as we seek Your will in some particular way. Be a blessing today in the life of those who are crying out to You and pleading for mercy. Reward them in Your grace with love. 

Verse of Salvation ~ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:11-14

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.